The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust, which operates the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, is grieving the death of Asega, one of its most recognizable and cherished male chimpanzees, who passed away on the morning of June 24, 2026.
Asega, around 28 years old, was found unresponsive in the sleeping facility for chimpanzees on Ngamba Island. A preliminary post-mortem examination conducted by the sanctuary’s veterinary team, in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s veterinary unit at the UWEC animal hospital in Entebbe, revealed that he died suddenly from blunt force trauma to the head.
Born around 1998, Asega was rescued as a young chimpanzee from Arua in northwestern Uganda. He grew to become a high-ranking, dominant male within the close-knit chimpanzee community on the island. Affectionately known as “the Acrobat,” Asega was celebrated for his remarkable athleticism, particularly his ability to scale fences over three meters high. His escape artistry was so renowned that in 2023, sanctuary staff built a specially reinforced, high-security enclosure to house him and his closest companion, Mawa safely.
On the evening before his death, there were no signs of distress. Asega returned to the sleeping facility on the night of June 23 in good health, exhibiting his usual lively energy. The next morning, a short, heavy downpour around 6:30 AM typically incites the sanctuary’s male chimpanzees to engage in their familiar morning ritual of swinging and thumping on tires and platforms suspended in the sleeping structure.
Asega, ever the showman, was known for his elaborate acrobatics during these sessions, often performing somersaults and swinging with practiced ease.
Sanctuary officials believe he may have missed his grip mid-routine, resulting in his head striking the concrete floor below.
“Asega was more than just one of our chimpanzees; he was a personality and a presence that visitors and caregivers alike came to know and love. His agility and spirit were unmatched, and his loss is deeply felt by everyone on this island who cared for him over the years. As we grieve, we are also reminded of how fragile life can be, even for an animal as strong and dominant as Asega. This strengthens our resolve to continue protecting and caring for the chimpanzees in our charge,” said Dorothy Basemera, the Communications and Marketing Officer at the Chimpanzee Trust.
Established in 1998, the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care of chimpanzees, many of whom arrive at Ngamba Island as victims of the illegal wildlife trade or habitat loss.
The Trust also works to raise public awareness of the threats facing chimpanzees and their habitats across Uganda and the wider region.
Sanctuary officials state that Asega’s life and legacy will continue to highlight both the resilience of rescued chimpanzees and the ongoing importance of conservation efforts at sanctuaries like Ngamba Island.
