Human-Wildlife Conflict in Rwanda

This study sought to assess the relationships between wildlife and communities living adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, in order to evaluate actions that have been taken to make it easier for people and wildlife coexist and those that should be envisaged to ensure their sustainable coexistence.On the one hand, animals damage crops and kill or injure people;on the other hand, significant illegal activities are frequently reported. People are not duly compensated, while malefactors against the protected area are punished when captured. This persistent antagonism is of the nature to threaten the sustainability of the park.A multi-action approach was suggested in order to alleviate current problems. This should include strengthening existing actions, building communities self-reliance, educating people how to coexist with wildlife through a comprehensive program of mass sensitization on environmental issues, meaningful assistance of communities in the protection of their property, and especially translocation of some problem-animals to limit threats to the most endangered species, like mountain gorilla.