RWANDA TRAVEL GUIDE 2021
In 2014, Dr. Olivier Nsengimana, a veterinarian, founded a conservation project to protect the endangered grey crowned crane in Rwanda from illegal trade. In 2015, Dr. Nsengimana developed this initial project into the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, which researches and protects endangered and threatened species across the region. We spoke to Dr. Nsengimana about the RWCA’s work. “Rwanda is one of the most density populated countries in Africa. As a result, there’s huge competition for resources between people and wildlife. The wetlands that form the cranes’ natural habitat are in high demand for people to grow food, while the threats of illegal wildlife trafficking and the huge demand for the pet trade have further devastated wild crane populations in the past, which were pushed to an estimated low of just 300 in 2012-13. The primary work of the RWCA has been to address this situation, protecting wild crane populations by halting illegal trade and protecting key habitats. To do that, we’ve adopted a holistic approach. The organization has implemented a range of activities, from confiscating captive cranes 28 | SBM - RWANDA
