Claude Hakorimana, 32, a former poacher from a community bordering Volcanoes National Park, says he was drawn into illegal hunting at a very young age because it was all he knew growing up. He recalls starting at just 14, watching his parents rely on poaching for food and income. "I grew up seeing my parents hunt for a living. To me, it felt normal," Hakorimana said. "The meat fed the family, and whatever was left was sold for income. Poaching seemed like a reliable way to survive." Over time, his activities expanded in scale and distance. Together with others, he targeted animals such as buffaloes, zebras and wild boars, venturing deeper into protected areas as he grew older. "As you grow, the area where you poach also grows. The practice continues well into adulthood," he said. A turning point came when local leaders and conservation actors intensified community sensitisation, spelling out the long-term damage caused by poaching to wildlife, tourism and local livelihoods. Hakorimana says the message hit home as enforcement measures were strengthened and penalties tightened. "We were taught about the negative effects of poaching, and it was made clear that anyone caught would face prison," he said. "The combination of awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement pushed me to abandon poaching and rethink my future."