Rwandan Youth Use Mobile App to Build 120,000-Recording Bird Database for Conservation

Rwandan Youth Use Mobile App to Build 120,000-Recording Bird Database for Conservation

By
Casey Lee

Publish Date:May 27, 2025

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📰 The quick summary: Young Rwandans are collecting bird sounds with a free AI-powered mobile app to build a database of over 120,000 recordings that support conservation efforts and inform policy decisions.
📈 One key stat: More than 120,000 bird recordings have been logged since 2019, creating a valuable database that helps Rwandan officials make informed conservation policy decisions.
💬 One key quote: “If I do not act, any conservation activity will be lost. My kids will not be able to see birds,” Joseph Desiré Dufitumukiza tells Mongabay.

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1️⃣ The big picture: In Rwanda, young conservation enthusiasts are using technology to protect declining bird populations through citizen science. Joseph Desiré Dufitumukiza, a 19-year-old tourism graduate, founded the Rugezi Ornithology Center in 2022 after learning about the decline of native bird species like the Maccoa duck. Twice weekly, he leads students on bird-watching excursions where they use binoculars, field guides, and a free mobile app called Planet Birdsong to identify and record bird species. These recordings contribute to a comprehensive database maintained by the Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management at the University of Rwanda, helping document changes in bird populations across the country.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: This citizen science initiative empowers local youth to participate in vital conservation work while building valuable scientific data resources. The project bridges traditional field research with accessible modern technology, making conservation activities more inclusive and widespread. Students develop deeper connections to wildlife through direct experience, inspiring them to advocate for conservation in their own communities. The database created by these efforts provides crucial information for policymakers working to protect Rwanda’s biodiversity. This grassroots approach to conservation demonstrates how young people can take meaningful action to protect threatened species even with limited resources.

3️⃣ What’s next: The Rugezi Ornithology Center will continue expanding its bird-watching program to involve more students and community members. Additional data collection will strengthen the national bird database for more informed conservation decisions. The successful mobile app approach might expand to monitor other wildlife species across Rwanda’s diverse ecosystems.

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Read the full story here: Mongabay – Young Rwandans support bird conservation through mobile app recordings

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