Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. A decade ago, Rwanda had more crowned cranes in living rooms than in the wild. They were brought back from the brink by a coordinated effort of conservation and public outreach, reports Mongabay contributor Musinguzi Blanshe. Just 10 years ago, Rwanda’s gray crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum) were vanishing. Once a familiar sight in wetlands across East Africa, their numbers in Rwanda had collapsed, driven by habitat loss and capture for the exotic pet trade. By 2017, there were more cranes in private homes than in the wild. That grim picture has changed, thanks largely to the work of Olivier Nsengimana, a veterinarian and founder of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA). His group has led a national campaign to rescue captive cranes, rehabilitate them and reintroduce them to the wild. Rather than punishing bird owners, RWCA offered amnesty — an approach that led to a wave of voluntary handovers. Their efforts have paid off. Rwanda’s crane population has nearly tripled since 2017. Wetlands, which are crucial breeding grounds, are now better protected through community involvement. RWCA trains local residents to monitor wetlands, raise awareness and reduce pressures on the habitat. Most of the organization’s 270 staff come from these communities. Nsengimana’s work has also expanded across borders. Cranes do not recognize national boundaries, so RWCA is partnering with groups in Uganda, Tanzania and, soon, Burundi to track and protect birds that migrate regionally. Uganda’s…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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