The home river of the CRANE: The fruits of the struggle to protect this bird in Rwanda
Conservationists say efforts are needed to protect animals that are at risk of extinction due to human activities. These animals include the ibis, which are now in very low numbers in Rwanda and the region. The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), which is dedicated to protecting wild animals, says it is urgent to protect these birds, with special attention to protecting their habitats. The Rugezi wetland in Burera district, northern Rwanda, is one of the few places where ibis can be found, and the association is campaigning to end human activities that are destroying the wetlands. There are currently 351 otters in this wetland, up from 289 in 2024, according to census figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Agency (RWCA) last month.
There are currently 351 otters in this wetland, up from 289 in 2024, according to census figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Agency (RWCA) last month.
Other places where the sedges can be found are in the Akanyaru Swamp on the Rwanda-Burundi border and in the Akagera National Park, near the Rwanda-Tanzania border. The Rugezi Swamp, which is listed as a protected area, is home to a rich ecosystem of plants, animals and birds and also holds a large amount of water. This is one of the places where the sedge can live and even thrive. Despite its importance, it has not been easily affected by the activities of the local people who are still using it to make a living. These activities are said to be seriously threatening the ecosystem, including the sedges. Monique Umutoni is the coordinator of the project to protect this wetland at the Rwandan Biodiversity Conservation Association. He says: "Some people go there to collect grass for their animals and cut it down to remove the tiny insects that are in it that are invisible to the naked eye. Some people destroy the eggs of these birds. "Some women go there to collect grass to weave mats and sell them. All of these people destroy the ecosystem, sometimes without even realizing it."
