Umusambi Village, founded by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association under the leadership of veterinarian Olivier Nsengimana, is a restored marshland in Kigali, Rwanda that serves as a shelter for more than 50 vulnerable grey crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum) rescued from the illicit pet trade.
These birds have been handicapped by captivity and cannot be released back into the wild. Umusambi village provides these birds with a stimulating setting in which they may reconnect with nature.
Background
Nsengimana started the Umusambi Village project in 2014. The goal was to put an end to the illegal crane trade, promote awareness, and release numerous captive cranes back into the wild, in Akagera National Park.
During the project, they discovered that several cranes had been crippled due to their imprisonment. This is frequently associated with their seizure and transportation, as well as clipping their wings to keep them from flying away, which can go catastrophically wrong if done without skill.
References
- Bizimungu, Julius (2020-06-30). "Kigali wetland turns into reserve for grey crowned cranes". The New Times | Rwanda. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
- Hazel Pfeifer (2021-02-17). "These cranes escaped a life as status symbol pets in Rwanda". CNN. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Home". Umusambi Village. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- Broulard, Laure Broulard (2021-04-01). "Reportage Afrique - Rwanda: à Kigali, un sanctuaire pour protéger les grues royales". RFI (in French). Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- "Umusambi Village". RWCA Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association. Retrieved 2021-06-11.