Dr. Deo is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His first job was in a small animal clinic, but his dream was to work in conservation. After volunteering with RWCA, Dr Deo worked as a Field Veterinarian and is now the Crane Project Manager. He takes the lead on the Grey Crowned Crane monitoring and medical interventions, but also enjoys share his veterinary experience in all of RWCA’s projects. Dr. Deo completed his Bachelor degree in Veterinary Medicine from University of Rwanda and has a Master’s degree in Public Health at Mount Kenya University. When not at work, Deo likes to joke with friends, watch nature documentary films and football. As a proud husband and father, he also enjoys being with his gorgeous daughter Kayla.

Jean Ferus has worked with RWCA since 2014 and has devoted huge amounts of time and energy to help establish some of the key project activities including the quarantine, reintroduction facilities and post release monitoring. He has a Masters in Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management and a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Aquatic Resource Management. Ferus likes nature, and is a football fan and supports Manchester United. His dream is to see people and wildlife living in harmony.

Marie Claire leads the RWCA’s bat research and conservation project. She has a Masters in Natural Resources Ecology, Management and Conservation and a Bachelor of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Management. Before joining RWCA, Marie Claire was an independent researcher working on rivers belonging to Congo River Basin to assess water quality and identify macro-invertebrate diversity. Marie Claire has won two awards for her work with RWCA; the Houston Zoo Wildlife Warrior Award and the Disney Conservation Hero Award. She is also a member of the Rwandan Association of Women in Science and Engineering and a role model for other young Rwandan women.

Cecile is in charge of all activities undertaken by RWCA to restore and protect important wildlife habitats and to mitigate the effect of climate change in Rwanda. She manages the indigenous tree nursery and takes a lead on the tree planting events. Cecile has a Bachelor of Science in Biology, botany and conservation from the University of Rwanda and a Master’s in Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity and Conservation from Queen Mary University of London. She participated in a field trip to Madagascar and conducted a research project with the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. She likes adventure and has committed herself to environmental conservation.

Innocent is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been attracted to working with bats since he was a part of the University of Rwanda Student’s One Health Innovation Club. Through this club, he heard about the potential role of bats in the spread of zoonotic diseases and has worked hard to make community members more aware of the benefits of bats and how they can peacefully co-exist with humans.