Millions of visitors flock to the Volcanoes National Park every year to see Rwanda's most prized tourist attraction - its mountain gorillas, which share the sanctuary with golden monkeys and buffaloes.
Next to the park is the village of Kinigi, where farmers grow Irish potatoes a key produce for the country's northern and western provinces separated from the wildlife by a simple stone wall.
Invariably, animals venture into the village, raiding crops and trampling on fields.
Buffaloes and chimpanzees are the worst offenders.
"Buffaloes come as a herd. After most of them leave, a few lone stragglers become scared and turn aggressive," said farmer Nitwa Ndayambaje, 40, who has been growing potatoes for almost two decades.
"The chimpanzees come in the day and eat our crops in front of our eyes."
More than 30 people are needed to tend to one potato farm, and it takes up to four months to cultivate three tonnes of produce.
But this hard work can be wiped out overnight by animals.
Farmer Moise Maniriho, 20, said he loses about 500kg of produce every harvest season.
The villagers have devised a system to protect their crops.
During the day, two people monitor the area. At night, there are five who keep a lookout.
These so-called night-walkers work in darkness and are at high risk of coming face to face with buffaloes that often stray from the park at night.
"The buffaloes killed someone just two months ago," said Mr Maniriho.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 08, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 08, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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