A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Wednesday, 20 July 2022 / Published in Travel Journal

The importance of wildlife reintroduction in national parks

The importance of wildlife reintroduction in national parks

With wild species disappearing at an unprecedented rate, reintroduction of wildlife in national parks seems to be the only solution in the long term.

I visited the Akagera National Park in Rwanda some months ago. Unlike the national parks of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, Akagera is managed way differently. Only a few rhinos are inside its premises, and they are completely protected from any potential interaction with people. Travelers hoping to see the white rhinos of Akagera can only take a quick look from a 500-meter distance and with binoculars.

It sounds sad, right? Still, these are some of Rwanda’s best news regarding wildlife conservation. 2022 is the year in which Akagera had the largest population of big mammals since 1980. They went from zero black and white rhinos in 2000 to more than 30 white rhinos and more than 25 black rhinos today.

Read more: How to plan a visit to Akagera National Park

rhino reintroduction in Akagera
Rhinos were reintroduced to Akagera at the beginning of the 21st Century

Bringing species back to life

The reintroduction of species is not something new. We have been reintroducing species for food and pest control for thousands of years. For example, predators are being reintroduced to a wild area to curb the overpopulation of a particular animal. However, it was only until the 20th
century, when the practice of reintroducing for conservation began.

This was when the global population increased significantly, and conservationists saw how this growth was causing an issue between animals and humans.

Akagera is the perfect example of that. Around 1990, this national park was known to have a population of 250 to 300 lions. However, once the Rwandan Civil War finished, an entire population of refugees in neighboring countries returned to Rwanda and settled in Akagera. By 2000, it is estimated that all lions had died, and the population of lions in Rwanda had basically disappeared.

“Without reintroduction, Rwanda would not have lions,” said one of the rangers at the national park.

Unfortunately, efforts to recover a whole species that vanished due to human behavior is challenging. After the approval of recovering Akagera National Park and years of negotiations and support for the communities living in the area, the reintroduction began. Seven lions from South Africa were brought to Akagera in 2015, and this was the first time in over 10 years that Akagera had seen a lion. Today, an estimated 30-40 lions are roaming in Akagera – numbers less than in the 90s.

Read more: Turning animal poachers into conservationists

Entrance to the Akagera National Park
Entrance to the Akagera National Park

Reintroducing species all over the world

Even though the reintroduction of wildlife is mainly heard in Africa’s national parks, this is a practice happening worldwide. With Europe leading this practice, there has been a reintroduction of over 40 different species in the old continent.

Although most of these animals are birds, big mammals are part of the reintroduction too. The three Persian leopards were successfully introduced into the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve in Russia in 2016, and the Eurasian lynx, successfully introduced in Switzerland some years ago, has been considered reintroduced in other parts of Europe.

According to Rewilding Britain, an organization that causes awareness of animal conservation in the United Kingdom, “the 20th century witnessed possibly the greatest assault on wildlife since the Ice Age. If we take the right actions, the 21st century can be one of wildlife abundance'”.

Read more: Why wildlife sanctuaries in Africa are so important

 lynx in Europe
Thanks to the reintroduction of wildlife programs, we can now see wild lynx in Europe

Read more: Best things to do in Kigali

  • Tweet
Tagged under: Africa, East Africa, National Park, Rwanda

What you can read next

Drone photography swimming with turtles
Tips to improve your drone photography to a professional level
The art of slow travelling in the Bahamas
The art of slow travelling in the Bahamas
Wild camping Saxon Switzerland
Boofen, the wild way of cave camping in Saxon Switzerland

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Exploring the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana – A different type of safariExploring the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana – A different type of safari
  • 37 tips for backpacking through the Balkans next summer37 tips for backpacking through the Balkans next summer
  • Tips for renting a car in OmanTips for renting a car in Oman
  • Climate change is transforming the future of wineClimate change is transforming the future of wine
  • Tips to get a couch through CouchsurfingTips to get a couch through Couchsurfing
  • Top places you can’t miss while traveling ColombiaTop places you can’t miss while traveling Colombia
  • Which are longest and most iconic train journeys in the worldWhich are longest and most iconic train journeys in the world
  • Packing list for a self-driving camping trip in NamibiaPacking list for a self-driving camping trip in Namibia
  • Everything you need to know about the wildebeest migrationEverything you need to know about the wildebeest migration
  • Famous city nicknames and the stories behind themFamous city nicknames and the stories behind them

RECENT POSTS

  • Stabroek Market - Best things to do in Georgetown Guyana

    Best things to do in Georgetown Guyana

    Georgetown is a city full of surprises, a melti...
  • Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone

    How to travel from Guinea to Sierra Leone by ferry

    Travelling from Guinea to Sierra Leone by ferry...
  • aerial view of Guyana rivers

    Preserving Guyana’s Pristine Landscapes: A never-ending challenge

    Guyana is a good example of how wildlife protec...
  • Exploring Acklins and Crooked Islands – The Bahamas' Hidden Paradise

    Exploring Acklins and Crooked Islands – The Bahamas’ Hidden Paradise

    If there is a place where it is possible to com...
  • These are the best local activities to do in Nassau

    These are the best local activities to do in Nassau

    Say goodbye to swimming with the dolphins and v...
  • Deutschlandticket getaway - how to get a Deutschlandticket

    The Deutschlandticket – A train ticket for unlimited travel in Germany

    After the success of the 9 Euro ticket, a succe...
  • How to do some island-hopping in the Bahamas by mailboat

    How to do some island-hopping in the Bahamas by mailboat

    Did you know that you can travel around the Bah...
  • All you need to know to plan a visit to the Palace of Versailles

    All you need to know to plan a visit to the Palace of Versailles

    From tickets to the best times to visit, here i...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP