Prosper Uwingeli, Rwanda’s Chief Park Warden, explained that they had a complete physical examination on the orphan chimpanzee.
The orphan was calm and emaciated but had been eating properly, he said in a statement Thursday.
Rwanda Development Board Chief Tourism Officer Belise Kariza said the rescue of the poached Chimpanzee and arrest of the perpetrators was a clear demonstration of the stronger and well synchronized efforts to curb poaching of the primates, and reinforce the transboundary partnership between Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda.
“Over the years we have increased the number of patrols around the park, fenced off most of it and are continuously removing snares set up by poachers to catch the animals. So far we have achieved a very high degree of success, including converting some of the former poachers into conservation rangers,” Kariza said.
She explained that the programs will be strengthened to build more capacity and transboundary collaboration to share information and ensure speedy action against criminals.
The Chimpanzee had apparently been caught using a snare as it was missing the big toe of the right foot and had two small superficial wounds on the right knee.
The rescued primate was also given comprehensive health checks by doctors from the Rwanda Development Board and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project and then transferred to the Kinigi Quarantine Facility in northern Rwanda, in accordance with the established animal rescue protocol, where it has been staying.
Genetical tests showed that the chimpanzee is related to the populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it was being.
There is no direct poaching of primates including gorillas and chimpanzees observed in Rwanda, nor the killing or capture of their infants for the live animal trade, according to officials.
However, the animals remain victims of actions against other mammals like antelopes, buffaloes and others, which may cause injuries or sometimes deaths.
“Rwanda, as a signatory of different conventions, including the Convention on Illegal Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora remains committed not only to eradicating poaching in the country, but also to contributing to the global efforts to combat poaching and illegal trade of wildlife in the region and the entire world,” said the statement. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
