KPRC 2 and the Houston Zoo are in Rwanda to document conservation efforts supported by Houstonians. Follow along with the journey on click2houston.com/conservation.
Days after we encountered gorillas in the wild, we ventured into one of Africa’s oldest national parks where we hoped to see even more iconic African animals.
Akagera National Park sits along the border with Tanzania. The Akagera River runs along the east side of the park. The western edge is fenced to keep the animals in and people who may wish to harm them out.
A lot of work is being done to protect the wildlife in the park and those outside of it.
This week already, we ventured into some nearby land with the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association as they worked to immobilize zebra that had been locked out of the park when the fence went in a decade earlier. We saw them tranquilize, examine, then transport two zebras back into park grounds. They’ll remain in a quarantine area until cleared for release in the 277,000-acre park.
The park is home to more than 500 species of birds, along with giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, antelope, buffalo, warthogs, and many other animals.
Madjid Gashugi, park tourism driver for the Rwanda Development Board, took us around Akagera National Park and proudly shared information about the land and the animals.
Gashugi is from Kigali but told us 80% of the park staff are locals to the area and benefit directly from income the park generates.
Here’s a look at some of the impressive species we saw:
Look for updates and more pictures from our trip on click2houston.com/conservation.