We reported on the efforts of the Sarambwe trackers to ensure the conservation of the reserve and asked for donations to thank them for the good work. When they received this special bonus for working without the support of eco-guards or soldiers, they got together and decided to use this financial bonus to create a common project. The project involved buying 60 high-quality chickens as well as the equipment necessary for housing and breeding them. The trackers renovated and adapted an old pigsty located at the ranger post to breed the chickens there. The financial cost for this project was US$ 3 for each chicken and US$ 60 for the chicken pen.

The chicken rearing and breeding project consists of raising chickens by feeding and caring for them as they grow. It was estimated that food and care costs would be US$ 3.50 per chicken for three months. At the end of three months, the value of each chicken would be US$ 10. This would result in a profit of US$ 2.5 per chicken, i.e. US$ 2.5 for every US$ 7.5 dollars invested.

However, another problem was encountered which led to an additional cost of US$ 0.80 per chicken thereby reducing the profit to US$ 1.7 per chicken. This additional cost is due to Sarambwe being located in a remote area: the chicken feed has to be transported from Kiwanja, which is 36 km away. The trackers travel there to buy food once a week, using the motorcycle which belongs to the Sarambwe Nature Reserve.

When the Sarambwe trackers received their second bonus, they bought 30 more chickens for US$ 90 and additional materials for US$ 10. This investment increased the profit to US$ 2 per chicken. Unfortunately, while the trackers were on patrol in the Sarambwe Nature Reserve, eight soldiers living at a nearby base were recalled to their headquarters, and they took 10 of the chickens with them.

Claude Sikubwabo