Umusambi Race, a cycling competition that aims at promoting wildlife conservation efforts is scheduled to take place on December 6 in Burera and Gicumbi districts in the Northern Province.

Organised by the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) and Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), the one-day race will be contested in various categories including one for professionals, amateurs, and local residents.

The professionals will cover a distance of 89.54 km, while amateurs will ride for 38.24 km. the local residents who will compete will cover a total distance of 26.54 km.

The event will feature both male and female riders.

Named after the white grey-crowned cranes (Imisambi/Umusambi), the race is part of Rwanda's efforts to preserve the birds as well as other wildlife species.

White grey-crowned cranes have suffered from illegal domestication for commercial purposes in the past years, despite the fact that they are an endangered species.

Since 2015, the RWCA has made efforts to address such threats. Among these, officials have removed the birds from people’s homes and returned them to the wild.

For those that were not healthy enough to be returned to the wild, officials are working to establish a facility where they can be kept.

The facility will serve as an education centre for crane conservation.