How Rwanda turned the tide for its grey crowned cranes

Rwanda’s grey crowned crane population has increased from fewer than 300 birds in 2014–2015 to about 1,200–1,300 today, following years of conservation work, according to Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA). ALSO READ: Regional countries in fresh efforts to conserve grey crowned cranes The grey crowned crane or gray crowned crane (Balearica regulorum), a large crane species native to Sub-Saharan Africa, is the only crane species in Rwanda. The exquisite endangered grey crowned crane is known for its grey body, long legs, and golden crown of feathers. It is mostly found in wetlands, grasslands, and rice fields, where it depends on these habitats for feeding and breeding. ALSO READ: Grey-crowned crane numbers on a sharp rise in Rwanda World Veterinary Day 2026 is being marked globally on the last Saturday of April under the theme “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.” The day highlights the critical role veterinarians play in animal health, food safety, and public health - areas that are closely interconnected with ecosystem protection. Conservationists say the recovery has been driven by a combination of policy decisions, habitat restoration, and community action, which has gradually changed how wetlands are managed and protected. ALSO READ: Veterinarians: Africa’s first line of defence for public health According to Jean-Paul Kubwimana, the Head of Thematic Programmes Coordination at the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), the recovery of Grey Crowned Cranes in Rwanda is linked to the country’s long-term development agenda, which integrates biodiversity conservation into economic growth strategies. “Through the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Rwanda set five objectives and nine national targets aimed at halting biodiversity loss and increasing economic benefits from biological resources and ecosystem services,” he said. Kubwimana explained that wetlands, the main habitat for Grey Crowned Cranes, were prioritised for restoration through ministerial orders guiding their sustainable use, alongside awareness campaigns and enforcement of laws against illegal trade, poaching, and domestication of the species. This required strong collaboration between civil society organisations, local communities, and research institutions, which provided regular data to inform timely decisions. This included the rehabilitation of Kigali wetlands, protection of Rugezi Wetland, and the development of wetland management plans in other districts to reduce pressure and improve habitat connectivity. Olivier Nsengimana, a Rwandan veterinarian awarded the Whitley Gold Award worth £100,000 - about Rwf192 million - for his work in protecting Grey Crowned Cranes and their wetland habitat in East Africa, said the increase in numbers is mainly due to the evolution of a nationwide conservation movement. He said communities living near crane habitats, government institutions such as the Rwanda Development Board, the Ministry of Environment, district authorities, and local leaders all took ownership of the effort, each contributing to protecting the species. “All of this has come together to help recover the population of cranes in Rwanda. Government policies on wetlands and their use have also been key, ensuring some wetlands are preserved for biodiversity and the broader ecosystem services we all benefit from,” he said. Nsengimana also credited the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, saying its approach was central to the progress made. “We used a model of confiscating, quarantining, and reintroducing captive cranes back into the wild, and it worked because people were brought on board. Instead of criminalising them, we explained that the cranes were in danger and invited them to be part of the solution. This created a voluntary movement in which people contributed to the cranes’ return to the wild,” he said. Can the model be replicated? Nsengimana said the approach reflects a uniquely Rwandan model of leadership and communication. It can be replicated elsewhere, although contexts differ, he said. “In East Africa, where crane trade and captivity still exist, we are sharing these lessons to show how involving communities made it work. For it to succeed, there has to be both government will and public will. I believe this makes the approach possible to apply elsewhere,” he said. Kubwimana said success in other countries would depend on strong political will, supportive regulatory frameworks, and sustained stakeholder engagement, especially with local communities. Limitations and remaining threats Despite the progress, threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and cross-border movement of cranes remain. Kubwimana said Rwanda is committed to sustaining these gains through tourism development, wetland parks, and implementation of the National Land Use and Development Master Plan and the Green Growth and Climate Resilient Strategy. He acknowledged that population pressure continues to drive wetland conversion for agriculture, leading to overharvesting of papyrus and other grasses used as nesting sites for cranes. Climate change is also a challenge, causing floods and unpredictable wildfires that destroy nests and kill chicks and young birds. “Other constraints include limited access to climate finance needed to implement adaptation and resilience plans, as well as insufficient scientific data to guide the designation of key wetlands as Ramsar sites or priority conservation areas. The lack of irrigation infrastructure in upland arable areas renders wetlands vulnerable, as people rely on them for irrigation during dry seasons,” he said. Nsengimana said that because cranes move across borders, protecting them in one country is not enough. This led to a Transboundary Collaboration Initiative between Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania to align conservation efforts and information sharing. As crane numbers increase, he said, pressure from farming communities has also grown, sometimes leading to conflict. The focus now is on practical solutions that support coexistence between people, cranes, and other wildlife.

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How Rwanda turned the tide for its grey crowned cranes