Nyungwe National Park’s management has announced a significant study focused on reintroducing elephants into this park.
This announcement was made during a briefing with journalists who specialize in environmental reporting (Rwanda Environmental Journalists).
Protais Niyigaba, the head of Nyungwe National Park, revealed that the last elephant in Nyungwe was killed by poachers in 1999. Historically, Nyungwe had a substantial elephant population, but extensive poaching eradicated them.
In collaboration with African Parks, Nyungwe National Park management has initiated a study to assess the feasibility and impact of reintroducing elephants. The study aims to evaluate the potential benefits to the country and the park, as well as any possible drawbacks.
Niyigaba stated, “African Parks is renowned for its efforts to reintroduce wildlife into parks, and this project aligns with their mission.”
The study is examining several key aspects:
Costs and Benefits: Evaluating the financial implications of reintroducing elephants and the broader benefits to the community and the nation.
Community Impact: Assessing whether the reintroduction would bring significant benefits, projected to be over 50%, and ensuring that the project’s advantages outweigh any potential drawbacks.
Safety Concerns: Ensuring that reintroduced elephants would not pose a threat to local residents or damage crops.
Niyigaba highlighted that the study is nearing completion and has reached an encouraging stage. However, the exact cost of the study has not been disclosed.
Nyungwe National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys, duikers, civets, servals, genets, mongooses, bushpigs, golden cats, and black-fronted duikers.
The park also hosts various bird species and venomous snakes.
The reintroduction of elephants would contribute to the park’s ecological balance, with elephants feeding on grasses that have overgrown since their absence, thereby maintaining the vegetation.
The potential reintroduction of elephants into Nyungwe National Park marks a significant step towards restoring the park’s natural heritage. As the study progresses, it will provide crucial insights into the viability of this ambitious project, aiming to enhance both the park’s ecosystem and the benefits to local communities.
By Kayitesi Carine
