Burera: 100 Families Receive Iron Sheets to Protect Livestock from Wildlife Attacks

At least 100 families living near Rugezi Marsh have received iron sheets to help them build predator-proof livestock shelters, in a community-driven effort aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and strengthening conservation.

The initiative, implemented by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), targets households in Gatare Cell, Ruhunde Sector, where wild animals from the marsh have frequently attacked small livestock such as goats and sheep.

Each family received five iron sheets during an event held on March 26, 2026.

Addressing rising human-wildlife conflict

Dr. Deo Ruhagazi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of RWCA, said the intervention responds to recurring cases of livestock losses caused by predators crossing from the marsh into nearby communities.

“Today, we provided iron sheets to residents living near Rugezi Marsh so they can build strong shelters for their animals,” he said. “There have been incidents where animals such as jackals come from the marsh at night and attack livestock, especially when goats or sheep are left outside.”

He explained that consultations with residents in Ruhunde Sector revealed that while many had started constructing shelters, most lacked proper roofing materials.

“By supporting 100 families with iron sheets, we are ensuring that their animals have safe enclosures at night, which will significantly reduce attacks from wild predators,” Ruhagazi added.

He also urged residents to take responsibility for protecting their animals by avoiding practices such as leaving them tied outside overnight.

“This support goes hand in hand with awareness. Livestock owners must ensure their animals are kept in secure places. Meanwhile, predators will continue to find food naturally within the marsh,” he said.

Residents welcome the support

Beneficiaries say the intervention offers a long-term solution to a problem that has affected their livelihoods.

Jean Bosco Karahanyuze, a resident of Gatare Cell, Ruhunde Sector, said wild animals had repeatedly killed their livestock.

“Animals from Rugezi Marsh used to come and attack our small livestock,” he said. “With these iron sheets, we are going to roof our shelters and we believe this will protect us from further losses.”

He added that in the past, residents would wake up to find predators had killed animals during the night.

“We would see jackals returning to the marsh after attacking our livestock. Now we are confident that building proper shelters will stop this,” he noted.

Another resident, Jean Baptiste Ndahimana, said the lack of strong shelters had forced some families to share living spaces with their animals for protection.

“Without proper structures, wild animals would come at night and take our livestock while we were asleep,” he said. “Now I will build a strong shelter using these iron sheets so that predators cannot reach them.”

Ndahimana also pledged to play a role in conservation efforts.

“I am committed to protecting Rugezi Marsh by avoiding activities like farming, grazing, or encroaching on it,” he said.

Linking livelihoods to conservation

Burera District’s Vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Theophile Mwanangu, said the initiative is key to both protecting livelihoods and promoting environmental conservation.

“These iron sheets will help residents build proper livestock shelters, ensuring their animals are safe from predators,” he said. “We encourage them to keep livestock in these shelters and avoid grazing in the marsh, which exposes them to risks.”

He emphasized that protecting Rugezi Marsh is critical not only for biodiversity but also for national development.

“Rugezi Marsh plays a vital role in sustaining water systems that support electricity generation, including Ntaruka and Mukungwa hydropower plants. Protecting it means protecting our economy,” he said.

Mwanangu also called on residents to avoid illegal activities such as hunting wildlife, particularly the endangered Grey Crowned Crane.

The initiative is part of RWCA’s broader “safe system” approach, which promotes non-lethal, preventive measures to manage human-wildlife conflict.