Poachers who have been routinely feasting on wild animals in the Akagera National Park now face tough times as the park management equips rangers with state of the art anti-poaching tactics and counter offensive skills.
The rangers who are now responsible for guarding the park, have been trained various tactics such as counter defense and offensive rescue and enemy engagement skills.
Brian Harris the Chief Executive Officer Conservation Outcomes in Tanzania who presided over the pass out of 17 rangers, noted that the skills rangers have acquired in the three weeks training will help bolster the park’s security which has been porous.
“Your work is extremely dangerous, strenuous and risky and therefore you need a lot of skills to be ready to go to the field and challenge this demanding task”, he said noting that the skills they have acquired will help them not only fight poaching but also preserve the diversity which is notable to Rwanda’s economy.
Harris said that without skilled and good rangers the objectives of the park’s establishment would not be achieved and urged them to vigilantly put in practice the skills in safeguarding the park while also protecting each other from ruthless poachers.
The government in partnership with the African Parks from South Africa is pumping a $10m investment to restore Akagera’s biodiversity, improve its long-term financial viability and also increase tourism receipts coming to the national economy.
Bryan Havemann, CEO and Project Manager Akagera National Park said,“Poaching has been rife and has had a negative impact on the animal numbers”. He further noted that without good rangers, there is nothing that can be done to protect the park.
Dr Tony Mudakikwa head of veterinary unit, research and monitoring said that the government is focusing at improving the park’s management which will eventually be a favorite destination for tourists. “We want to adopt a modern way of managing the park, and training of trackers is one issue. We expect less poaching which has been a problem, reduce human and animal conflict and increase the number of animal species so that we can expect more tourists and increase income”, he said.
Havemann said that rangers have been equipped with arms, safety gadgets. In addition a modern communication hub is yet to be established which will facilitate communication during the patrols.
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