The neighboring population of Akagera National Park is concerned about their safety following the animals which are still outside the fence of this park. It is a threat to their safety and that of their crops in the fields. Among the animals that have remained outside the fence are warthogs, antelopes, baboons, buffaloes, hippos, etc.

It has been two years since Rwanda via RDB launched a project to build an electrified fence around Akagera National Park to prevent wild animals from going into the surrounding population. But some animals remained outside this fence and still threaten the safety of this population.

Residents of the Gahini Sector lament that “wild animals in the park are devouring small livestock and destroying fields”. This population asked the authorities responsible for managing the park to find a solution to this problem.

JesGruner, Director of Akagera National Park, said they have an obligation to only manage animals that are inside the fence. However, he invites the population to adopt the culture of returning early to avoid encountering these animals during the night.

“Death is something very regrettable, which is why we are raising awareness among the population to return early so as not to encounter these wild animals during the night,” suggested JesGruner.

Odette Uwamariya, Governor of the Eastern Province, says the animals that are outside the park fence pose a challenge to the people but every year they carry out an operation to search for the animals and bring them back inside. of the fence.

Despite the government’s efforts to protect the population, they are aware that accidents are inevitable, hence the establishment of funds to compensate victims of damage caused by animals in national parks.