Conservation Message
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Who can best secure the wildlife and their habitats? Much of that question can only be answered by those who share their lands with wild creatures. It is those most severely impacted by human-wildlife conflict who deserve a greater voice. Put simply, but far from easy to implement, wildlife conservation is as much about working with (and for) people as it is about safeguarding natural resources and promoting biodiversity. As it is in wildlife-rich places like remaining protected corners of Africa, so too should it be in other parts of the world, particularly those crucial areas home to what science author David Quammen refers to as alpha predators. As he writes in his book Monster of God, "the hardships of living with alpha predators are borne largely by the world’s poorest and most disenfranchised people." Therein lies what is arguably the greatest gap between those advocating on behalf of wildlife and those living with the very real threat of what they are capable of. To bridge that gap will involve much more than clinging to idealistic notions of people or nature, despite sometimes overwhelming temptations to do so. What it will take is scientific, social, and economic research, science based solutions, and listening intently to, and learning from, those living with wildlife. For the conservation of nature to work in areas like Africa, indeed anywhere on Earth where these amazing animals still thrive, it is imperative to pay heed to the voices of local people―wildlife's greatest hope for survival. |
Karamojong farmers protecting their crops from elephants.
A fisherman heads out at dusk.
A lioness on the border near South Sudan.
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