Olivier Nsengimana, Founder of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), yesterday received his award at the Royal Geographical Society, London at a Ceremony in front of 500 guests. He is one of six Whitley Award winners recognized for their work with local communities to protect threatened wildlife and their habitat around the globe.
Trained as a vet, Olivier eschewed the role to establish his own NGO in 2014 after discovering Rwanda’s grey crowned cranes were in dramatic decline. With less than 500 remaining, these birds were in trouble.
A symbol of wealth and longevity, the grey crowned cranes are emblematic in a country rebuilding after the devastating genocide of 1994 against the Tutsis.
Today Rwanda is experiencing significant economic growth and development, with a demand to transform wetlands into agricultural land.
While it is illegal to capture or eat grey crowned cranes, these majestic birds are threatened by poaching for domestic and international trade as pets for the rich, and people driven by poverty capture cranes to sell in order to support their families.
Olivier is determined to save these birds. His team have already registered all captive cranes in the country to ensure that no more are brought into captivity, and his veterinary skills are proving vital to re-habilitate these birds to the wild.
His Whitley Award funding will enable Olivier to train a network of volunteers to combat poaching and monitor crane populations across the country.
He will scale up outreach to reduce demand by raising awareness of the precarious conservation status of cranes and the laws protecting them.
The project will help to conserve four wetlands and restore roost sites, with communities planting over 500 native trees.
Edward Whitley, Founder of the Whitley Fund for Nature, said: “Olivier’s work has had an undeniable impact on the conservation of grey crowned cranes in Rwanda.
We’re thrilled to be able to support Olivier, especially during our milestone year as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.
His efforts and approach to conservation will help to sustain this species for future generations.”
Olivier said: “Rwandese are working together to rebuild our country. As a conservationist, this is what I have to contribute to my country and I am passionate to do it as best I can.”
An annual event, often referred to as the ‘Green Oscars’, the 2018 Whitley Awards, are part of Whitley Fund for Nature’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
The winners will each receive £40,000 in funding to support their work to conserve some of the planet’s most endangered species and spectacular places.
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