Poaching in Akagera: Authorities raise red flag

Authorities in Akagera Park have warned that poaching and illegal wildlife destruction is likely to increase during the festive season.Eugene Mutangana, the Akagera Management Company deputy chief executive, appealed to law enforcement authorities to be alert.“It’s clear that the poachers ravaging Akagera’s wildlife have mastered their trade. The poachers are targeting large animals for meat to sell, particularly during Christmas and New Year festivities. But they should be warned that enforcement authorities will keep pace with the criminals,” Mutangana said.“Poachers, smugglers, marijuana traffickers, are a menace to this park. Even the electric fence does not scare them. We trained 42 game rangers to control our borders, .but we need cooperation of all, neighbouring communities and other authorities.”Mutangana noted that poaching was responsible for the extinction of lions and White Rhinos in the park.He said poachers were destroying the $2.4 million erected fence, by removing posts and damaging the mesh and electric cables.“The destruction of the fence, in turn, could result into wildlife causing problems to communities again. We want to restore animal species. We will start with lions next year. The two animals were exterminated by poachers, so poaching must stop,” he said.Mutangana added that encroachment also affected the protected water bodies in the park.Meanwhile, authorities said the park is being destroyed by people in search of East African Sandal wood, a type of plant locally known as Kabaruka.Mutangana urged authorities to treat the trees impounded like other illicit goods, and be destroyed just like illicit alcohol and marijuana.“All stakeholders in wildlife management must conceptualise the issue. In recent times, several tonnes of the [impounded] tree were auctioned in Nyagatare. At least Rwf10 million was raised. The buyers were the orchestrators of the illegal business,” Mutangana said.James Ndikumana, a resident in the park neighbourhood, said Kabaruka dealers earn a lot of money, which is why they never stop the business.“We are talking of a lucrative business. You invest Rwf300,000 and earn Rwf5 million. It demands vigilance by all the people to stop this practice. Some people pretend to be fighting it, when they are actually involved in it,” he said.

National

Poaching in Akagera: Authorities raise red flag