Ignore the headlines about wildlife conservation – we don't need to resort to warzone tactics to protect endangered species

International interest in wildlife conservation in Africa seems to wax and wane in line with outraged or triumphant news headlines. Whether gnashing its teeth over Cecil the Lion's son, or cheering on last week's public destruction of two tonnes of ivory in Central Park, the international community is having all the wrong debates. Should we tackle poaching by targeting demand? Do we need more armed soldiers? But these do not need to be the only options when it comes to protecting endangered species.

Contrary to the recent increase in stories around militarisation of conservation, wildlife parks are not war zones and citizens should not have to be in a “battle” with animals to gain access to land. The word “engagement” is often thrown around like a panacea. But it really does work. For example, at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), the only conservancy in the world that protects the critically endangered Mountain Bongo, engagement with the local community is our priority.

With headlines typically reserved for Cecil the Lion, you would be forgiven for not having heard of the Mountain Bongo. This rare and beautiful creature is only found in its natural habitat in Kenya, and there are just 100 or so left in the wild. Over the last 50 years their population has been devastated by unrestricted hunting, poaching, loss of habitat, illegal logging, introduced predators and diseases such as rinderpest.

Full story at http://ind.pn/2wvjqoL

Source: Independent

 

 

 

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