Grauer's scrub-warbler  (Bradypterus graueri)

The montane swamps which the Grauer's scrub-warbler inhabits are not well protected, and therefore habitat destruction and alteration poses the greatest threat to this species. The largest population occurs in Rugezi swamp, Rwanda (3); an area which is being degraded and encroached by agriculture (2). Many smaller swamp sites, particularly those near dense human settlements, are also being drained for cultivation or pasture (2) (3).

Several of the swamps which Grauer's scrub-warblers inhabit are protected within national parks, such Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda and Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (2), (both World Heritage Sites) (5). However, the latter is not secure (3), having been badly affected by influxes of Rwandan refugees and rebel soldiers (6). Rugezi swamp in Rwanda, home to the largest population of Grauer's scrub-warblers, urgently needs protection (3). An action plan which outlines a strategy to improve the conservation status of the Grauer's scrub warbler was published in 2006. Priority actions include determining the distribution, population size and trends of the species and minimising the impact of human activities at key sites (4). Hopefully these measures will lessen the Grauer's scrub-warbler's risk of extinction.