Rutsiro: Wild dogs from Gishwati-Mukura Park kill two sheep

Nzayisenga Valens, a resident of Mwendo Cell in Mukura Sector, Rutsiro District, is counting losses after two of his sheep were killed by wild dogs believed to have come from the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Mukura section.

Nzayisenga, who lives near the park boundary, said he had tethered his sheep close to the forest as usual, but when he went to bring them back in the evening, he found them dead — one of them disemboweled.

He is convinced the attack was carried out by wild dogs from the park, saying it was not the first time such incidents had happened in the area.

“I had tied the sheep near the park, but when I went to get them in the evening, I found them dead — one with its stomach ripped open. I strongly believe the dogs came from the park since they’ve attacked livestock here before,” he said.

Nzayisenga appealed to local authorities for compensation, explaining that the sheep were part of his efforts to improve his family’s livelihood and economic stability.

The Executive Secretary of Mukura Sector, Emmanuel Ndayambaje, confirmed that the attack was likely carried out by wild dogs, noting that previous studies had shown no other large predators in the Gishwati-Mukura National Park except such dogs.

“We suspect these were wild dogs from the park. It’s not the first time they’ve left the forest to attack livestock before returning,” he said.

Ndayambaje added that, in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), authorities usually track and capture these animals whenever they reappear, since wild dogs are not officially allowed to live in the national park.

“These dogs enter the park as strays that later adapt to the wild. Now that we’ve learned they’re back — after being absent for some time — we’ll work again with RDB to drive them out,” he added.

He urged residents to take greater care of their livestock and to keep them in shelters, rather than leaving them tethered in open fields.

The official also promised that Nzayisenga would receive replacement livestock through existing community support programs designed for vulnerable households.

Ndayambaje further advised residents to report sightings of these dogs — which often appear during rainy or cloudy weather — before they cause harm, warning that they can also attack children.

He concluded by urging dog owners to vaccinate and properly control their pets, as unmonitored dogs could also spread diseases or harm both humans and livestock.

Source: Imvaho Nshya