Just a few hours after commemorating the World Tourism Day, it was regrettable to hear that Rwanda’s only legendary and oldest African elephant was no more. The famous Mutware elephant was among the very 26 young elephants that were below 8 years to be introduced in Akagera National Park from Bugesera in 1975 in the move to eradicate human-wildlife conflict in the area and also restore such endangered species that in the previous years thrived in this savanna protected area. Mutware grew up to 48 years till his unfortunate date making it him Akagera’s oldest elephant. To many who knew him, they could easily recognize him as his tusks were broken some years back. He was one of a kind elephants and grew together with humans when he was still a young elephant hence his familiarity to many and some time back, he became the most looked for attraction by most tourist as most of them could come to touch or feed him.
He was also popularly called ‘Chief’ by many wildlife enthusiasts in Rwanda. According to the Eastern Rwanda based National Park management, in the previous years, the legendary elephant was spotted spending much of his time at the edge of Lake Ihema mostly in the water and could only travel through the national park once in a year and just few weeks at a time. His death is attributed to natural causes.
In 1975 when twenty six (26) elephants were relocated to Akagera National Park from Bugesera and they included 14 (fourteen) males and 12 (twelve) females. Three of them were habituated of which Mutware was part and the others included Helico and Mwiza. The other members remained wild and after, they were followed by Mwiza and Helico. Mutware then remained lonely and it was during this time that he turned disruptive and also became famous amongst locals and perhaps he has left an incredible story. Currently, about 80 (eighty) elephants are believed to be in Akagera National Park.
This loss has hit both the conservation and tourism fraternity the fact that these mammal species are listed as the most endangered species. In the early 20th century, about three to five million African elephants thrived in Africa but currently, there number has drastically reduced to not more than 415000. Most of these amazing creatures exist in Eastern and Southern Africa with most of them living in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and others.
Besides elephants, Akagera National Park also offers refuge to several savanna grassland wildlife species including lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, roan antelopes, giraffes, Kobs, over 525 bird species (the notable birds to sight while on safari in this park include red faced barbets, grey backed fiscal, black headed heron, gonoleks, spur winged lapwing, grey crowned cranes and many more), hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, reedbucks, hyenas a mention but a few. This park is the only savanna grassland protected area in Rwanda and popular for its exciting safari activities like game drives or wildlife viewing, bird watching, sport fishing, boat cruise and many others.
Akagera National Park itself features among the very few oldest national parks in Africa. It was first gazetted in 1934 with aim of offering refuge to most of its wildlife and habitats that include mainly mountains, swamps and savanna. It derived its name from Kagera River that flows through it to feed the many water Lakes including Lake Ihema which is one of Rwanda’s largest Lakes. Amazingly, about a third of the park alone is occupied by water bodies and it covers an area of about 1120 square kilometers after reducing from the original 2500 square kilometers. Around 1990, this expansive grassland protected area was inhabited by most refugees and in 1997, the western area of it was regazetted and some portion of it was given to refugees since there was shortage of land for them to farm and settle. This park however boasts of its exceptional landscape and due to its expansive size, it is never over crowded making it the best destination to discover most of the savanna creatures.
In conclusion, elephants are a few most endangered mammal species on earth today and yet they are among the most sought after big game in Africa. The death of Mutware leaves a huge impact to both conservation and the tourism sector.
