Incredibly endangered wildlife in Rwanda : In Rwanda, wildlife is incredibly endangered. There are only about 1,000 lions left in the country and fewer than 2,000 elephants. And this is only a fraction of the total wildlife in Rwanda. Habitat destruction and habitat loss due to hunting is the main reason these animals are being pushed to the brink of extinction. By learning more and raising awareness about this issue, we can help stop the destruction of these habitats and protect these beautiful animals from going extinct.
Endangered species in Rwanda
Large cats – including lions, leopards, cheetahs and tigers – are critically endangered in Rwanda. It is estimated that there are around 300 lions remaining in the country today, compared to approximately 5,000 in the mid-1990s.
Meanwhile, less than 200 of the West African black rhinoceros remain in the country. These two species represent the majority of the population of large mammals in Rwanda. These endangered species can be found in several national parks and wildlife reserves across the country, including the Akagera National Park and the Volcanoes National Park. However, poaching continues to threaten the survival of these species. There is also a lack of capacity to protect these areas, and many nature reserves are understaffed and underfunded. These factors all work together to create a serious conservation challenge for the country.
Endangered bird species include several species of hornbills and vultures, as well as forest-dwelling birds such as the grey-crowned crane and black-necked crane. Several species of vulture and the helmeted guineafowl are also listed as endangered.
Endangered amphibians and reptiles include the black cobra, green mamba, radiated tortoise and Rothschild’s giraffe-tailed skink.
The mountain gorilla population is also declining rapidly in Rwanda. There are currently only about 800 mountain gorillas living in the wild in the country, down from more than 1,000 a decade ago. This decline has been caused primarily by human activity, including illegal poaching for bush meat and habitat loss caused by agriculture.
How has tourism helped in the conservation of endangered species in Rwanda?
Tourism plays a very important role in the conservation of endangered wildlife species around the world. Since tourism generates revenue that helps fund conservation efforts, it is something that many wildlife conservation groups recommend as a viable method of preserving endangered species. Many countries around the world have turned to tourism as a way to preserve their natural resources and boost their economies. In Rwanda, this is no exception. The country relies on tourism to help generate much-needed income to fund its conservation efforts and to promote a positive image of the country abroad. In addition, it also helps promote awareness of the problems that the country faces and encourages visitors to support conservation efforts in their hometowns.
Rwanda is drawing an increasing number of tourists every year, with a reported 540,000 tourists visiting the country in 2015 alone. Many of these tourists are nature and wildlife enthusiasts who are drawn to Rwanda for its stunning scenery and the opportunity to spot some of the country’s critically endangered animals in their natural habitats. Be part of the good cause on your next Rwanda wildlife safari and help in the conservation of our precious wildlife.
