Godfrey Kwibuka
Golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti), a vulnerable primate species found in Gishwati-Mukura National Park, are increasingly raiding crops in surrounding communities, posing a serious threat to local livelihoods and often provoking retaliatory actions against the species. This project aims to promote peaceful coexistence between people and golden monkeys by equipping communities with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to protect their crops using non-lethal methods, while actively participating in conservation efforts.
The project will focus on three key goals: increasing community awareness and fostering positive attitudes toward golden monkey conservation through targeted education and outreach; reducing human-wildlife conflict by introducing community-led, non-lethal crop protection strategies; and strengthening local monitoring and reporting systems to track golden monkey movements and crop raiding incidents. To achieve this, we will conduct educational workshops in selected high-conflict villages, engaging farmers, local leaders, and conservation stakeholders. These workshops will be supported by pre- and post-training surveys to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes. Educational materials and radio broadcasts will be used to broaden outreach, especially in remote areas or among less literate audiences.
In addition, farm guard teams will be established and equipped with non-lethal tools such as noise-based repellents to deter golden monkeys. These teams will coordinate closely with local authorities and park personnel via a mobile-based alert system to respond quickly and effectively to crop-raiding events. Community members will also receive hands-on training to observe and document golden monkey behavior and to report incidents of human-wildlife conflict. These interventions will contribute to conservation efforts and help mitigate conflicts between people and wildlife.