Rwanda has been listed among the top four countries managing the preservation of endangered species, such as gorillas. This was during the United Nations biodiversity conference from December 9 to 17 in Montreal, Canada.
Rwanda has strengthened the preservation of some endangered species in mountainous regions, including its gorilla population, whose number has remarkably doubled.
According to the census conducted in 2016, there has been an increase in the gorilla population living in Virunga mountains, from 480 to 604.
Speaking to The New Times, Eugene Mutangana, the conservation management expert in tourism at Rwanda Development Board, said this is a result of having a supportive government which puts conservation among its priorities, together with the right legal framework among contributors towards Rwanda’s conservation success.
"We are not going to slow down the momentum, or stop supporting projects that will add value like park expansion leading to a greater habitat,” said Mutangana.
"We are also looking forward to transforming our communities because conservation in Rwanda is done for the people," he added.
Previously, gorillas were on a list of animal species with a high risk of extinction given the different preservation threats such as poaching, inhabitant disturbance, and among others.
Among the efforts by the Government to ensure the preservation of mountain gorillas is Kwita Izina, a ceremony during which newborns the previous year are named.
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Prime minister, Dr Edouard Ngirente, during the 18th Kwita Izina ceremony, emphasised Rwanda’s commitment to conservation where he said that it remains the country’s priority to preserve mountain gorillas as well as the rest of the animal species at the risk of extinction.
He also appreciated the partnership in preserving the volcanic park that highly contributes to Rwanda’s economy and said that there are plans to extend it.
Notably, Rwanda is home to over a third of the remaining population of mountain gorillas and has intentionally invested efforts in conserving and protecting them together with making wildlife conservation its best priority.
Currently, there are 12 gorilla families namely, Agashya, Amahoro, Hirwa, Igisha, Isimbi, Kwisanga, Muhoza, Kwitonda, Noheli, Sabyinyo, Susa and Umubano.