Wildlife Conservation in Akagera – Wildlife conservation has become a priority for almost everyone in Rwanda due to the tourism progress Akagera National Park has showcased over the past years.
This has motivated the government and non-profit organizations to join hands in fighting poaching, which had become rampant due to human settlement on the park’s land after the genocide.
Because of the decrease in animal species, some animals were imported from South Africa and European countries to help increase the population of lions and rhinos (both white and black), which had become close to extinct. To date, the number of animals has been gradually increasing.
The savannah-adapted animal species range from herbivores and reptiles to carnivores and primates.
Focusing on lions, park records show that after lions were hunted down in the 1990s, but re-introductions were carried out in 2015 and 2017. Since then, the lion population has expanded.
These cubs are well cared for by the lionesses, who live in prides consisting of many females and a few males.
The males often fight for dominance, and the young are usually kept hidden from them, as male lions sometimes kill the cubs.
Nevertheless, lions remain one of the most stunning species you should not miss seeing.
Elephants were also heavily affected, leading to the reintroduction of 26 individuals in 1975. This population has since multiplied to over 140 according to the last census carried out.
In 2017, rhinos were reintroduced after a ten-year absence. Five more rhinoceroses were imported from European zoos in June 2019, and since then, many calves have been born, increasing the rhino population in the park.
The endangered Masai giraffes were also reintroduced in 1986, and as of now, there are an estimated 110 individuals in the park.
Akagera is a true wildlife beauty. Besides its animals, it boasts rolling highlands, vast Savannah plains, and swamp-fringed lakes containing incredible biodiversity and rare species.
Among the commonly spotted species are reptiles and birds that gather at the water’s edge to feed.
Some of these include the western reef heron, booted eagle, shoebill, African jacana, red-faced barbet, helmeted guineafowl, African fish eagle, and many others.
Let us conserve nature for the betterment of the next generation.
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