by Astone Byaruhanga
Editor's Note: Byaruhanga Astone is a wildlife ranger in Kibale National Forest, which is located in western Uganda. His many years of experience in the forest have left him with a deep love and respect for the local animals, as well as with an understanding of their biology and history. Often, Astone writes stories from the points of view of these animals: He imagines himself as a butterfly or dwarf bushbaby and then uses their voices to describe the animals.
When a team of educators from the North Carolina Zoo visited Uganda in early 2003, Astone gave each team member a story as a gift. Each story also includes illustrations, some drawn by hand and others made with inkpads.
The stories are summarized below; they can also be downloaded in their original forms from the Media Gallery on the right-hand side of this page.
Forest Elephants
Forest elephants are here to stay: Trust me. Forest elephants feast on Balanities wilsoniana, fermented fruits. Which is commonly called Elephant beer or call it their extra strong brew. Elephants help in the disperal of this plant. The seeds which pass through the digestive system of the elephants gets a quicker germination.
Butterflies
Butterflies offer beautiful designsfor different fashions. I like to fly after sunrise for it is when I am warm. Do you know that butterflies are good pollinators? Or did you know that chimps eat caterpillars?
Tabu the Chimp
Kibale National Park is found in Africa. It is located in Uganda which is found in East Africa.
Grey-Cheeked Mangabey
I live in the forest. I am called Grey-Cheeked Mangabey. I am ever making hoop-gobbles when I am marking my territory. I like feeding on insects like grubs. I fear a Crown Eagle which has swooped many of my friends while enjoying sunshine.
L'Hoesti Monkey
Dear Colleagues I am vulnerable, I am proud of my beauty. I am terrestrial. I like to feed on grubs. At times I climb trees and feed on sweet fruits. The sun finds me awake for they say "early to rise early to fall."
Emerald Cuckoo
In the heart of the forest I always hear screams of primates such as the Red Colobus monkeys, black and white, chimps, but I am not bothered for I know that the peaceful forest is for all creatures.
Hopping Monkeys
Do you know that we are called hopping monkeys. On the ground we hop like rabbits. We have feet as long as our shins.
Dwarf Bushbaby
I am the lightest primate in the forest. I can only see well at night. I cry like a baby. I like feeding on gum on trees.
About the author:Byaruhanga Astone is a wildlife ranger in Kibale National Forest, Uganda
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