Management
Chimpanzee Trust
Chimpanzee Trust and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary announce the death of Asega, a high-ranking male chimpanzee known for his athleticism and acrobatic behavior.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NGAMBA ISLAND, UGANDA — June 24, 2026 — The management of Chimpanzee Trust and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, with profound sadness, announces the death of one of its iconic male chimpanzees, Asega, which occurred on the morning of June 24, 2026. At the time of his death, Asega was approximately 28 years old.
Asega was found lying unresponsive in the sleeping chimpanzee facility on Ngamba Island. Preliminary results of a post-mortem conducted by the sanctuary veterinary team, in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority veterinary team at the UWEC animal hospital in Entebbe, indicate that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in sudden death.
Remembering Asega
Estimated to have been born in 1998, Asega was rescued from Arua in northwestern Uganda. Within the chimpanzee community on Ngamba Island, he was a high-ranking male in his prime.
Often referred to as the acrobat, Asega was known to be very athletic, with particular prowess in jumping over three-meter fences. His abilities prompted the construction of a special high-security fence for him and his closest colleague, Mawa, in 2023.
Events of June 24
On the evening of June 23, Asega returned to the sleeping facility in good health and was very active, as always. On the morning of June 24, there was a short but heavy downpour at about 6:30 a.m. As usual, the male chimpanzees were swinging around, thumping against used tyres and platforms in the sleeping structure as part of their normal behavior.
Asega was particularly known for this behavior and was very agile and athletic while swinging from hanging tyres in acrobatic moves, often including somersaults. It is believed that he possibly missed a step, resulting in a collision between his head and the concrete floor.
About Chimpanzee Trust
The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust, also known as Chimpanzee Trust, was founded as a Non-Governmental Organization in 1998 to promote the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats in particular, and wildlife in general.
The Trust is dedicated to providing rescued chimpanzees with a lifelong safe haven and raising awareness about their plight. Asega’s story will continue to serve as a poignant example of the urgent need for conservation efforts and the invaluable work of sanctuaries like Ngamba Island.
For more information, contact:
Dorothy Basemera
Communications and Marketing Officer
info@chimpanzeetrust.org
+256755221608
