Grey Crowned Crane Protection

Rwanda development Board is calling for the government protection of the grey crowned crane. This is as a result of a shocking decline of the grey crowned crane numbers reported in Rwanda. This bird has greatly helped in attracting more tourists to come for birding safaris to the country; hence high revenues with in the country. However, the human activities are the main factors leading to the decline of the population of the grey crowned cranes; with these activities restricting the breeding success.

The crane habitats have been lost and degraded due to the rapid increase in the human population. These are also threatened by their removal from the wild. The practice of the illegal removal from the wild and the domesticating grey crowned cranes is rampant throughout Rwanda; and if not controlled, these species may disappear in the wild. This might also affect the safaris to the country. These birds are also found as pets at some hotels, households. They are also exported by illegal wildlife traders; and have a role in the traditional medicine and the local cultural beliefs.

Rwanda needs to put up an awareness campaign to discourage the collection of these cranes from the wild. The Rwanda Development Board and its stakeholders would also like to let the general public to know that; the existing legislation stipulated in the law will be applied to whoever keeps the Grey crowned cranes in the captivity illegally, collects them or their eggs from the wild. This will also help in increasing their numbers; which will in turn help attracting more tourists to come for more safari tours to the country.

Rwanda has also got many other birds which are so wonderful; and many more attractions that have greatly attracted many safari tourists to the country. Some of these include; the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Mountains, hills, Dian fossey tomb, Golden monkeys, wild life species and many more