Rwanda
Rwanda provides an optimal opportunity for wildlife zoonotic disease surveillance in continental Africa’s most densely populated country. Almost the entire country is cultivated for subsistence farming, and intensive human land use abuts the boundaries of all three national parks (Volcanoes, Nyungwe Forest, and Akagera), forcing some wildlife species (particularly birds but including primates) to utilize highly urbanized or agriculturalized habitats. A developed tourism industry exists – 1 million visitors last year, and the country’s largest source of foreign revenue – and is largely centered on opportunities to view wild mountain gorillas in Volcanoes NP, bringing people into daily direct and indirect contact with mountain gorillas, and by extension, other wildlife species, including primates. Like other Rift Valley countries, Rwanda is promoting cave tourism, which also brings people into close contact with bats. UC Davis’ implementing partner, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP), has operated in Rwanda since 1986 in close cooperation with the Rwanda Development Board/Tourism and Conservation, the jurisdictional authority for wildlife and protected areas, on mountain gorilla health and disease issues affecting other wildlife species. MGVP has also monitored multiple wildlife and domestic species for disease exposure, including bats. These highly productive working relationships in addition to newly established relationships with the Rwanda Animal Resource Development Authority (RARDA), TRAC-Plus, and Umutara Polytechnic will allow for unique surveillance opportunities at the interface between wildlife, domestic animals, and people in the context of intense animal and plant agriculture and wildlife tourism in Rwanda.
Country Coordinator: Julius Nziza
