Rwanda sharpens anti‑poaching strategy at Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda has adopted a proactive, multi‑layered anti‑poaching approach at Volcanoes National Park, blending expanded patrols, data‑led enforcement and community revenue sharing to protect flagship gorilla tourism. Measures include GPS monitoring of gorilla groups, CyberTracker and SMART tools to map poaching hotspots, intelligence‑led operations with local leaders and former poachers, and reinforced boundary infrastructure such as a stone wall and trenches to reduce incursions and crop raids.
Park tourism revenue of 10% is channelled to neighbouring communities to fund schools, health centres and water projects. Snares recovered increased from 446 in 2019 to 2,336 in 2025 – a rise the Rwanda Development Board attributes to wider patrol coverage and improved detection. Cross‑border cooperation through the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration continues amid regional insecurity, with plans to expand the park by 23% – about 37.4 sq km – and pursue harmonised laws and joint patrols to curb snaring and safeguard tourism.
Source: The New Times
