Are There Forest Elephants in Nyungwe? The answer is no, but hopes are high in the hearts of elephant lovers that, within the next two years, elephants will be reintroduced into Nyungwe National Park, where they happily lived in large numbers 25 years ago.
The last elephant was killed by poachers during the time when Rwanda was emerging from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
This is why the government is working tirelessly to eliminate poaching from national parks and ensure the safety of wildlife.
To bring elephants back to their former habitat, the government of Rwanda and African Parks will need to conduct a survey to evaluate the potential benefits or drawbacks of reintroducing elephants into the park.
Fortunately, African Parks has expertise in relocating wildlife, but the first step is to conduct a thorough study to plan effectively.
The task isn’t simple, as it will involve transferring elephants from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe, which will take time for the elephants to adapt to Nyungwe’s hilly terrain.
Elephants are one of the Big Five animals found in Akagera National Park, attracting a variety of visitors, both local and international, which helps generate revenue.
Additionally, these giant species can be spotted during guided nature walks and game drives, where visitors have the opportunity to observe the footprints they leave behind and witness fully grown elephants grazing in the Savannah.
Campaigns are underway to ensure that elephants return to Nyungwe.
This will also help reduce the overgrowth of choking vine grass, which has been spreading uncontrollably in large areas and now covers a significant percentage of the flora in the forest.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to over 1,068 plant species, but the invasive vine grass is dominating and having both positive and negative impacts on the forest.
The reintroduction of elephants would offer numerous benefits, such as:
- Providing a natural habitat for other species, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and birds
- Boosting eco-tourism and supporting local communities
- Enhancing the park’s ecosystem and promoting a balanced environment
Let us hope for the best in the coming years.
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