One of our vets in training, Dr. Charline Rutagengwa, is leading a study on pesticide exposure in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park (ANP), one of the oldest national parks in Africa. The park is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, including African elephants, black rhinoceros, and Maasai giraffes. As the number of people living adjacent to Akagera increases, the potential for challenges from human activity increases, including the potential for negative effects from the use of unknown pesticides on agriculture bordering the park. Our study aims to detect the presence of pesticides in ANP that may be entering the park from nearby agriculture, and set baselines to guide community engagement and additional research into the potential risk to wildlife. This study is supported by Conservation Nation’s People & Pachyderms Collective, allowing our team to establish a foundation for future conservation efforts toward understanding and protecting vulnerable ecosystems like Akagera.
The Threat of Pesticides
As agricultural activities increase around Akagera, farmers utilize various pesticides to boost food production. Unfortunately, these chemicals often seep into the park’s waterways, such as Lake Ihema, which is fed by the Akagera River. With an estimated 70% of Rwanda’s water flowing down through the park, wildlife—including elephants, rhinos, and other mammals—are potentially at risk of pesticide exposure.
A map of Rwanda’s Akagera National Park alongside an image of one of its resident elephants.
Wild animals can be particularly vulnerable to pesticide poisoning which can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact during pesticide spraying. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals may lead to biological disruptions, including immune system damage, reproductive failure, and altered behaviors. For example, organophosphate pesticides are known to disrupt natural foraging patterns in wildlife species. Organophosphate pesticides like chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion, parathion, and acephate disrupt wildlife foraging by impairing the nervous system, leading to reduced ability to locate and capture food, which affects survival and ecosystem stability. These pesticides are designed to protect crops from damage caused by insects and other pests, but they can also pose risks to wildlife when they enter the environment.
Dr. Rutagengwa’s Pesticide Exposure Study
The study is designed to assess the level of organic chemical exposure, particularly pesticides, that could potentially be affecting wildlife in Akagera National Park. Collaborating with Dr. Krystal Pollitt at Yale University, Charline is using a new, non-invasive method, passive silicone sampler, that passively collects data on pesticides found in the environment. The study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of chemical exposure, which will inform future studies on specific chemicals that may be harming not only wildlife, but also domestic animals and humans in those agricultural communities.
A passive silicone sampler mounted on a tree, used to monitor environmental exposure.
Protecting Wildlife and Communities
The study extends beyond wildlife, with Akagera’s anti-poaching dogs serving as samplers to monitor the broader environmental impact of pesticides. The results from Dr. Rutagengwa’s research will provide initial data to Akagera’s park management, serving as the first step to understanding pesticide exposure risk to wildlife. If harmful levels are identified, the findings may encourage further investigation and collaboration with local communities to explore safe pesticide practices in agriculture.
A passive silicone sampler attached to an anti-poaching dog's collar
While the study’s primary focus is determining potential exposure risk to elephants and rhinos, the findings may also uncover potential risks to other species that may be especially sensitive. For example, amphibians, which are sensitive and globally in decline, would benefit from more focused efforts to prevent pesticide contamination, further emphasizing the importance of this research for broader conservation efforts.
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