Chimps have killed or injured dozens of children in Uganda

In Uganda, the encroachment of settlements into the country's western forests has sparked a battle between humans and chimpanzees.

So far this year, chimps have killed or injured dozens of children, and locals are retaliating by hunting down and poisoning their protected neighbours.

[unclescipio]

Well, this is freaking disturbing. There are few deaths I can imagine worse than being taken out by a chimp.

[grayroger]

People in the comments seem to lack all empathy for these Ugandans. There is no easy solution. Kenyans have challenges with lions killing cattle and elephants plundering crops. Indians face similar issues. Human wildlife conflict is a problem in parts of the world that have a booming population threatening the natural ecosystem. In the UK, wolves and bears were made extinct around 1, 500 years ago. It's no surprise commenters on here can only offer shallow responses. Solutions are much harder to come by in developing countries but these countries governments and universities are trying to resolve these issues. It takes time.

[mohammedkhaliq]

I think it’s hypocritical of everyone to blame the humans, they’re just doing what they have to do to survive as well. These poor villagers aren’t living in the lap of luxury and are just trying to make it with the bare necessities. It’s easy for people, especially for those living in wealthier western countries, to point and say leave their habitat alone but a wild dangerous animal was strolling their neighborhood threatening their kids that animal would’ve been killed a long time ago.

[stillhere]

It makes horrible sense, because apes will also kidnap the young of lions or leopards, in an effort to eliminate or drive away the enemy predators.

[thekingofbohemia]

When I was a kid I got scared by the flying monkees in the Wizard of Oz. Can't imagine real ones coming at you out of the trees. They are vicious.

[dangunnell]

Wait till Joe Rogan finds out about this

[autarko]

This comment section proves how detatched from nature people have become.

[tensaijuusan]

The human population went from much less than half a billion to over 8 billion in the blink of an historical eye, a mere 500 years - The net result has been massive environmental degradation and destruction as well as rising animal and plant extinction rates. This is by any metric - unsustainable.

[edwinodus]

That area should have been a national park reserve with no inhabitants

[panafrican.nation]

A Kenyan channel showcased a trek through the forest where the chimps are just a month ago. I recall commenting that I wouldn't trust chimps, especially with children, having seen other videos on how chimps are savage to themselves and humans

[barcelonachair]

The Ugandan Government needs to create job opportunities for these people so they can relocate. Create an infrastructure where you can create something to trade with another African nation. I don't know what that is because I am not familiar with the needs of this area, but if this specific population is reliant on farming for income then other sources of income have to be sought. All parts of Uganda are not rural, they have vibrant cities too.

[samrizzardi]

I wonder if there's a correlation with the death of the troop's leader. Similar occurrences have happened when elephant herds lose the moderating influence of their matriarchs.

[robertrobert]

Unfortunately Uganda is not keeping chimps and humans in separate places. And poor people have no access to cooking fuel other than wood. No one wins in these situations.

[mediacenterman]

US: Be careful with grass stains on your new football jersey, kids
Uganda: Be careful you don't get pounced on and murdered by a chimp

[halfnelson]

What a nightmare this must be for all involved. On one hand Chimpanzees are an endangered species. On the other hand theyre coming into conflict with people. As with most things in life they're no easy answers. I feel bad for those kids though. They must be terrified knowing those Chimps are so close. I know it would have scared me as a child.

[frederickhaaken]

Natives: "Look at all this free land."
Chimpanzees: "There goes the neighborhood."

[sarahchristine]

Those poor villagers. I’m a huge animal lover & advocate, and I understand that humans are encroaching on their habitats, but chimps in Uganda have been targeting, attacking & killing human children for years & it needs to stop. Sorry but I’m all for killing the aggressive chimps that attack humans to make sure it doesn’t happen again & make it clear that kind of behavior won’t be tolerated. I’d rather they fear humans & keep their distance than feel confident enough to approach. I love our closest relatives but I love human children more. Whether it’s right or wrong, I think we need to protect human children first & foremost.

[lyricistdestroyerqueensbor]

This is also happening in the USA... just visit New york, Chicago, Baltimore, California. The chimps here also carry weapons.

[antoniomarcos]

"How many of you have..." A dozen pairs of hands were raised before the question was even finished. Children are always so cute!

[cianog]

Chimps are dangerous. Cannibalism is very common.