Biodiversity Conservation

Nyungwe National Park is a regional biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism. At least 265 of the 1,100 plant species are endemic to its mountains, and of the 345 bird species, 30 are Albertine Rift endemics. Its 85 mammal species include yellow-backed and black-fronted duikers, and numerous small carnivores such as serval cats and African civets. Thirteen primate species make up 12% of all African mainland primate species, including the near-endemic L’Hoest’s monkey and eastern chimpanzee. A single community of 600 Rwenzori colobus has been observed, the largest ever recorded of any primate on the continent.

Rangers on the ground complement the comprehensive park-wide camera trapping survey in Nyungwe © Gael Vande Weghe

In efforts to deepen understanding through research and monitoring, data collection is providing insights to guide the conservation management methods most effective for Nyungwe’s ecosystem functioning. Ongoing camera trapping surveys are helping to gauge species presence and abundance, particularly of the more secretive species without disrupting their behaviour, while also detecting illegal activities.

Chimpanzee trackers monitor the habituated chimp and colobus monkey populations daily through EarthRanger, collating the data digitally to provide insights into behaviour, and help inform park management strategies. 

In collaboration with Bat Conservation International and the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, the roosting sites of the Critically Endangered Hill’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) and the Cameroon leaf-nosed bat (Doryrhina camerunensis) are being monitored, providing best practice in conservation for these flying mammals.

Nyungwe is home to a variety of primate species including black-and-white colobus monkeys © Marcus Westberg

The challenges facing Nyungwe include illegal bushmeat hunting, illegal extraction of minerals, removal of fauna and flora for commercial purposes, and high land scarcity on the periphery of the park, which increases human-wildlife incidents and unsustainable harvesting from the park.

Together with ongoing positive community engagement and development, sound conservation law enforcement is helping to mitigate illegal activities. In addition to new recruits completing their Basic Field Ranger (BFR) training, all rangers attend refresher courses annually, with human rights being a central element. 

Snares removed from the park decreased from 11,259 in 2023 to 6,831 in 2024 which is attributed to data-driven operations, joint patrols and the recruitment of 92 local eco-rangers, whose focus on community awareness-raising is contributing to decreased pressure on the protected area.

Park management is continually addressing the threat to biodiversity posed by exotic plants.  An area of approximately 500-600 hectares of forest, currently covered with exotics, is being mapped to prepare for their removal and the regeneration of indigenous species.  Forest restoration efforts around the park are continuing with the assistance of park staff, eco-rangers and community members. In 2024, over 25 hectares of fire-affected forest was restored through assisted natural forest regeneration with over 93,000 indigenous trees regenerated. Park-supported nurseries propagate approximately 40,000 seedlings for restoration and agroforestry each year.