Study Underway to Reintroduce Elephants to Nyungwe National Park

Elias Hakizimana Jul 26, 2024 0 Comments

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

The management of Nyungwe National Park has announced the commencement of a feasibility study to reintroduce elephants to the park. This announcement was made during a press briefing with the Rwanda Environmental Journalists.

Protais Niyigaba, the Director of Nyungwe National Park, stated that the last elephant in Nyungwe was killed by poachers in 1999. He noted that the park once had a significant elephant population, and efforts are now being made to reintroduce these majestic animals.

In collaboration with African Parks, the study aims to assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of reintroducing elephants to Nyungwe.

“African Parks is known for reintroducing wildlife to national parks,” Niyigaba said.

The initial step of the project is the feasibility study, which will evaluate the cost of reintroducing elephants and the overall benefits to the local community and the country.

“If the anticipated benefits are lower than expected, the project may be reconsidered.” Niyigaba explained.

He emphasized that the study is progressing well and is nearing completion. The study aims to ensure that the benefits to the country exceed 50%. It also examines the potential risks of elephants causing harm to residents or damaging crops.

The exact cost of the feasibility study has not been disclosed by the park management.

Nyungwe National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, baboons, jackals, duikers, servals, colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and the endangered owl-faced monkey.

The park also hosts various bird species and venomous snakes. Additionally, the park’s vegetation, previously impacted by elephants, has thrived in their absence.