DOCSLIB.ORG

Report:African Parks

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report:African Parks REPORT: AFRICAN PARKS Back to the fuTuRe Twenty years ago ecide which tree you’re convinced us we would do better to retreat going to climb – quickly.” than to rush up a tree: my fleeting glimpse of the Majete region of Dorian whispered his her among the tangled mess of branches and Malawi was a barren instructions with a bushes would have to suffice. Despite its “Dpalpable sense of urgency, and with good brevity, my encounter with this increasingly wilderness, its native reason. Climbing trees is apparently the only rare animal, being poached to the edge of animal populations way to escape a charging rhino. extinction, felt a true privilege. About 20m ahead, Shamwari snorted That rhinos are here at all in Majete decimated by poaching. deeply and angrily: her alarm call, warning Wildlife Reserve is thanks to the efforts of us to keep our distance. We’d spent five African Parks, a not-for-profit South African Now, as Sue Watt found, hours since dawn following the tracks of conservation organisation that has been the area is once again black rhinos, trawling across sandy river restoring wildlife to this beautiful corner of beds and grassy slopes, and we’d finally southern Malawi for the past 10 years. In home to elephants, found one obscured by dense thicket, one of Africa’s poorest countries, decades of lions and rhinos, thanks shading itself from the morning sun. poaching and poor policing have taken their According to Dorian Tilbury and his toll, leaving Majete an empty, plundered to the latest pioneering tracking team, Shamwari is a relatively wasteland. By 1992 not a single elephant Here: the battle-scarred placid rhino, but with her 18-month-old calf remained. Now, around 260 roam around horns of a black rhino; a conservation effort family of elephants make beside her, this was no time to move closer the 700 sq km landscape, many having been their way down a forest path by African Parks for a clearer view. Another aggressive snort relocated from other Malawian or South 54 WILD TRAVEL WILDLIFEEXTRA.COM WILD TRAVEL 55 © HOLGER EHLERS, ARIADNE VAN ZANDBERGEN/ALAMY ARIADNE VAN EHLERS, © HOLGER REPORT: AFRICAN PARKS African parks. In all, some 2,500 animals have been brought here, costing some uS$3 million, and today Majete is once again a thriving Big five reserve, home to 6,000 animals, including LIfe SuPPORT lions, leopards, elephant, buffalo, and those elusive rhinos. Majete is African Parks’ flagship project, one of seven Parks the organisation is restoring in six countries, spreading 4.1 million hectares across the continent. The company was established in 2000. Its founders were conservationists and leading businessmen seeking a new way of restoring Africa’s poorest wildlife regions. They included South African National Parks’ former Chief executive Mavuso Msimang, its Director of Conservation Dr Anthony Hall-Martin, and Commercial Director Peter fearnhead. They were soon joined by a charismatic Dutch billionaire and philanthropist, the late Paul fentener van Vlissingen, who shared their passion for How African Parks brought Rwanda’s conservation and provided much initial funding. Today, African Parks receives donations Akagera NP back from the brink from individuals, governments and NGOs kagera National Park suffered dreadfully ranging from the european union and the when refugees returned following Rwanda’s World Bank to philanthropic organisations Adevastating genocide of 1994. Thousands of such as the Walton family foundation. Majete Clockwise from left: a young impala pauses in its grazing people settled in the Park, poaching, breeding cattle Most people live in to check the photographer; two “daggaboys”, buffalos was its first project, acquired in 2003. By 2020 and destroying its ecosystem. In 1997, the wallowing in dagga, or mud; children from villages near government, in a damage-limitation exercise, the organisation aims to be protecting 15 poverty and have to be Majete learning about conservation; the suspension bridge leading to Mkulumadzi lodge in Majete; a lodge bedroom reduced Akagera by 50 per cent, allowing its new vulnerable parks in need of restoration, persuaded the wildlife is residents to remain in one half while protecting the making it the largest conservation remaining 1,120 sq km. But resources and expertise organisation on the continent. worth more to them alive a leading safari operator in Zambia and were limited, and in 2010 African Parks partnered Malawi, showed their faith in African Parks with the Rwanda Development Board to help business plans around the reserve. “We want communities to by opening a beautiful luxury lodge called manage and conserve this beautiful region. “African Parks has made a huge difference,” said Where African Parks differs from other take a leading role in conserving the natural Mkulumadzi in 2011, at a cost of 1.3 million Denise Umugwaneza, who’s been guiding in the organisations is in its ethos of adopting a resources inside and outside the reserve. If we euros. Prior to African Parks’ involvement Park since 2006. “We’ve had more training, more business approach to conservation, working in sideline them, there are going to be problems. only a handful of visitors bothered to come to equipment, better cars, new roads… and the brand partnerships with local governments and “Majete has more than 130,000 people Majete each year. By 2012 their numbers had new electric fence has made a significant difference crucially taking over full management control surrounding it. That’s a big group for a small reached nearly 6,000, a figure forecast to in human/wildlife conflict, poaching and other of its parks. As Dorian, the field Operations reserve. It’s quite a challenge.” double in 2013. illegal activity.” Up to 200 locals are now employed at Akagera Manager for Majete told me: “We aim to take Through protecting the wildlife, those Not all African Parks’ efforts have been as and African Parks provides school visits and depleted protected areas, rehabilitate them, communities receive tangible benefits, successful, however, and the organisation environmental education classes to thousands of restock them and get them moving again, to including new classrooms and teachers’ has had some steep learning curves. each of children to spread the conservation message. make them ecologically, socially and accommodation, clinics and bore holes. the regions in which they operate brings its Twenty years after the genocide, like Rwanda financially sustainable. We get a 25-year Around 200 staff are employed at the reserve own challenges, sometimes involving itself, Akagera is coming back to life. Today, it’s home to some 8,000 animals, including elegant tenure, then hand them back to their itself, and training and micro-finance are corruption, political chaos or organised giraffe, buffalo, warthogs, antelopes such as government and say, “There you go, be merry.” provided for new income-generating criminal activity on a massive scale. waterbuck, topi, and the Bambi-like oribi, monkeys, Despite its successes, it’s a controversial opportunities such as bee-keeping, chicken In 2007, African Parks prematurely and a grumpy old elephant called Mutware, who is approach with some critics believing parks rearing, making pottery and furniture, and terminated its contracts in two ethiopian renowned for his antisocial behaviour. Visitors have should remain under local management. hosting visitors on village visits. In education, National Parks – the remote Omo Valley and already increased by 50 per cent and African Parks African Parks’ bold ambitions would be African Parks has awarded over 600 Nech Sar – when complex problems plans to attract more by reintroducing lions and rhinos, making it a Big 5 destination. Of its 480 bird impossible to achieve without the cooperation scholarships to orphans attending secondary involving the relocation of around 50,000 species, the rare shoebill will be the most sought- of local communities that surround and schools. Children are learning about indigenous people. Human rights violations after sighting. sometimes share the regions with the animals conservation through wildlife clubs and visits by the government and bitter inter-tribal What is most striking is Akagera’s diversity and the organisation is striving to protect. Most of to the reserve, spreading the message to both conflicts made successful negotiations on scenic beauty. Among rolling hills and gorges, deep these people live in abject poverty and need to older and younger generations. sustainable land use impossible. valleys and open plains, lakes and papyrus swamp be persuaded that their wildlife neighbours As the wildlife returns, so do the visitors. In In both Zakouma National Park, Chad and cover a third of the Park, making it the largest protected wetlands in central Africa. are more valuable to them alive than dead. Majete, a new community campsite, a tented Garamba National Park in the Democratic Once at risk of being lost forever to an In Majete, Anthony Chikwemba, African lodge called Thawale, a heritage centre and an Republic of Congo, African Parks is striving encroaching population, its future now looks secure. Parks’ Community extension Officer explained education centre all help to bring in to reverse the trend of rampant commercial the importance of involving the 85 villages employment and income. Robin Pope Safaris, SUE WATT WHITFORD. ©WILL ivory poaching that has decimated 56 WILD TRAVEL WILD TRAVEL 57 REPORT: AFRICAN PARKS Clockwise from below: Mr Moyo from African Parks, guide Dorian Tilbury and the writer, Sue Watt, track rhino; mischievous young gorilla, Pan, eyes up the visitors; a hippo surfaces in one of the park’s lakes pachyderm populations. They do this with a unique biodiversity, much of Congo’s asked by the government to take on the against a backdrop of terror and violence, vast rainforest remains undiscovered and management of Nkhotakota NP, home to the even murder.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Collaborative Management Models in Africa
    Collaborative Management Models in Africa Peter Lindsey Mujon Baghai Introduction to the context behind the development of and rationale for CMPs in Africa Africa’s PAs represent potentially priceless assets due to the environmental services they provide and for their potential economic value via tourism However, the resources allocated for management of PAs are far below what is needed in most countries to unlock their potential A study in progress indicates that of 22 countries assessed, half have average PA management budgets of <10% of what is needed for effective management (Lindsey et al. in prep) This means that many countries will lose their wildlife assets before ever really being able to benefit from them So why is there such under-investment? Two big reasons - a) competing needs and overall budget shortages; b) a high burden of PAs relative to wealth However, in some cases underinvestment may be due to: ● Misconceptions that PAs can pay for themselves on a park level ● Lack of appreciation among policy makers that PAs need investment to yield economic dividends This mistake has grave consequences… This means that in most countries, PA networks are not close to delivering their potential: • Economic value • Social value • Ecological value Africa’s PAs are under growing pressure from an array of threats Ed Sayer ProtectedInsights areas fromare becoming recent rapidly research depleted in many areas There is a case for elevated support for Africa’s PA network from African governments But also a case for greater investment from
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 LRF Progress Report
    February 2019 Progress Report LION RECOVERY FUND ©Frans Lanting/lanting.com Roaring Forward SINCE AUGUST 2018: $1.58 Million granted CLAWS Conservancy, Conservation Lower Zambezi, Honeyguide, Ian Games (independent consultant), Kenya Wildlife Trust, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, TRAFFIC frica’s lion population has declined by approximately half South Africa, WildAid, Zambezi Society, Zambian Carnivore Programme/Conservation South Luangwa A during the last 25 years. The Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) was created to support the best efforts to stop this decline 4 New countries covered by LRF grants and recover the lions we have lost. The LRF—an initiative of Botswana, Chad, Gabon, Kenya the Wildlife Conservation Network in partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation—entered its second year with a strategic vision to bolster and expand lion conservation LRF IMPACT TO DATE: across the continent. 42 Projects Though the situation varies from country to country, in a number of regions we are starting to see signs of hope, thanks 18 Countries to the impressive conservation work of our partners in the 29 Partners field. Whether larger organizations or ambitious individuals, our partners are addressing threats facing lions throughout $4 Million deployed Africa. This report presents the progress they made from August 2018 through January 2019. 23% of Africa’s lion range covered by LRF grantees Lions can recover. 30% of Africa’s lion population covered There is strong political will for conservation in Africa. Many by LRF grantees African governments are making conservation a priority 20,212 Snares removed and there are already vast areas of land set aside for wildlife throughout the continent.
    [Show full text]
  • African Parks 2 African Parks
    African Parks 2 African Parks African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the total responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. By adopting a business approach to conservation, supported by donor funding, we aim to rehabilitate each park making them ecologically, socially and financially sustainable in the long-term. Founded in 2000, African Parks currently has 15 parks under management in nine countries – Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Zambia. More than 10.5 million hectares are under our protection. We also maintain a strong focus on economic development and poverty alleviation in neighbouring communities, ensuring that they benefit from the park’s existence. Our goal is to manage 20 parks by 2020, and because of the geographic spread and representation of different ecosystems, this will be the largest and the most ecologically diverse portfolio of parks under management by any one organisation across Africa. Black lechwe in Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia © Lorenz Fischer The Challenge The world’s wild and functioning ecosystems are fundamental to the survival of both people and wildlife. We are in the midst of a global conservation crisis resulting in the catastrophic loss of wildlife and wild places. Protected areas are facing a critical period where the number of well-managed parks is fast declining, and many are simply ‘paper parks’ – they exist on maps but in reality have disappeared. The driving forces of this conservation crisis is the human demand for: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Transhumant Pastoralism in Africa's Sudano-Sahel
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Transhumant Pastoralism in Africa’s Sudano-Sahel The interface of conservation, security, and development Mbororo pastoralists illegally grazing cattle in Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Credit: Naftali Honig/African Parks Africa’s Sudano-Sahel is a distinct bioclimatic and ecological zone made up of savanna and savanna-forest transition Program Priorities habitat that covers approximately 7.7 million square kilometers of the continent. Rich in species diversity, the • Increased data gathering and assessment of core Sudano-Sahel region represents one of the last remaining natural resource assets across the Sudano-Sahel region. intact wilderness areas in the world, and is a high priority • Efficient data-sharing, analysis, and dissemination for wildlife conservation. It is home to an array of antelope between relevant stakeholders spanning conservation, species such as giant eland and greater kudu, in addition to security, and development sectors, and in collaboration African wild dog, Kordofan giraffe, African elephant, African with rural agriculturalists and pastoralists. lion, leopard, and giant pangolin. • Enhancement and promotion of multi-level This region is also home to many rural communities who rely governance approaches to resolve conflict and stabilize on the landscape’s natural resources, including pastoralists, transhumance corridors. whose livelihoods and cultural identity are centered around • Continuation and expansion of strategic investments in strategic mobility to access seasonally available grazing the network of priority protected areas and their buffer resources and water. Instability, climate change, and zones across the Sudano-Sahel, in order to improve increasing pressures from unsustainable land use activities security for both wildlife and surrounding communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery of Ungulate Populations in Post-Civil War Akagera National
    Recovery of Ungulate Populations in Post-Civil War Akagera National Park, Rwanda Author(s): Ann Apio, Martin Plath & Torsten Wronski Source: Journal of East African Natural History, 104(1-2):127-141. Published By: Nature Kenya/East African Natural History Society DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2982/028.104.0110 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.2982/028.104.0110 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Journal of East African Natural History 104(1&2): 127–141 (2015) RECOVERY OF UNGULATE POPULATIONS IN POST-CIVIL WAR AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA Ann Apio Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Management College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda P.O. Box: 117, Huye, Rwanda [email protected] Martin Plath College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, P.R.
    [Show full text]
  • WAR and PROTECTED AREAS AREAS and PROTECTED WAR Vol 14 No 1 Vol 14 Protected Areas Programme Areas Protected
    Protected Areas Programme Protected Areas Programme Vol 14 No 1 WAR AND PROTECTED AREAS 2004 Vol 14 No 1 WAR AND PROTECTED AREAS 2004 Parks Protected Areas Programme © 2004 IUCN, Gland, Switzerland Vol 14 No 1 WAR AND PROTECTED AREAS 2004 ISSN: 0960-233X Vol 14 No 1 WAR AND PROTECTED AREAS CONTENTS Editorial JEFFREY A. MCNEELY 1 Parks in the crossfire: strategies for effective conservation in areas of armed conflict JUDY OGLETHORPE, JAMES SHAMBAUGH AND REBECCA KORMOS 2 Supporting protected areas in a time of political turmoil: the case of World Heritage 2004 Sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo GUY DEBONNET AND KES HILLMAN-SMITH 9 Status of the Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire and the effects of war FRAUKE FISCHER 17 Recovering from conflict: the case of Dinder and other national parks in Sudan WOUTER VAN HOVEN AND MUTASIM BASHIR NIMIR 26 Threats to Nepal’s protected areas PRALAD YONZON 35 Tayrona National Park, Colombia: international support for conflict resolution through tourism JENS BRÜGGEMANN AND EDGAR EMILIO RODRÍGUEZ 40 Establishing a transboundary peace park in the demilitarized zone on the Kuwaiti/Iraqi borders FOZIA ALSDIRAWI AND MUNA FARAJ 48 Résumés/Resumenes 56 Subscription/advertising details inside back cover Protected Areas Programme Vol 14 No 1 WAR AND PROTECTED AREAS 2004 ■ Each issue of Parks addresses a particular theme, in 2004 these are: Vol 14 No 1: War and protected areas Vol 14 No 2: Durban World Parks Congress Vol 14 No 3: Global change and protected areas ■ Parks is the leading global forum for information on issues relating to protected area establishment and management ■ Parks puts protected areas at the forefront of contemporary environmental issues, such as biodiversity conservation and ecologically The international journal for protected area managers sustainable development ISSN: 0960-233X Published three times a year by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of IUCN – Subscribing to Parks The World Conservation Union.
    [Show full text]
  • SES Scientific Explorer Annual Review 2020.Pdf
    SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER Dr Jane Goodall, Annual Review 2020 SES Lifetime Achievement 2020 (photo by Vincent Calmel) Welcome Scientific Exploration Society (SES) is a UK-based charity (No 267410) that was founded in 1969 by Colonel John Blashford-Snell and colleagues. It is the longest-running scientific exploration organisation in the world. Each year through its Explorer Awards programme, SES provides grants to individuals leading scientific expeditions that focus on discovery, research, and conservation in remote parts of the world, offering knowledge, education, and community aid. Members and friends enjoy charity events and regular Explorer Talks, and are also given opportunities to join exciting scientific expeditions. SES has an excellent Honorary Advisory Board consisting of famous explorers and naturalists including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dr Jane Goodall, Rosie Stancer, Pen Hadow, Bear Grylls, Mark Beaumont, Tim Peake, Steve Backshall, Vanessa O’Brien, and Levison Wood. Without its support, and that of its generous benefactors, members, trustees, volunteers, and part-time staff, SES would not achieve all that it does. DISCOVER RESEARCH CONSERVE Contents 2 Diary 2021 19 Vanessa O’Brien – Challenger Deep 4 Message from the Chairman 20 Books, Books, Books 5 Flying the Flag 22 News from our Community 6 Explorer Award Winners 2020 25 Support SES 8 Honorary Award Winners 2020 26 Obituaries 9 ‘Oscars of Exploration’ 2020 30 Medicine Chest Presentation Evening LIVE broadcast 32 Accounts and Notice of 2021 AGM 10 News from our Explorers 33 Charity Information 16 Top Tips from our Explorers “I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.” Mark Beaumont, SES Lifetime Achievement 2018 and David Livingstone SES Honorary Advisory Board member (photo by Ben Walton) SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER > 2020 Magazine 1 Please visit SES on EVENTBRITE for full details and tickets to ALL our events.
    [Show full text]
  • Akagera National Park Rwanda
    AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK RWANDA AFRICAN PARKS PROJECT SINCE 2009 Akagera totals 1,122km2 Partners: Rwanda Development Board (RDB) 7 lions reintroduced in August 2015 7 lion cubs born in May 2016 The Story of Akagera Akagera National Park’s rolling highlands, savannah plains and swamp-fringed lakes make up the largest protected wetland in central Africa, and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted animals and plants in Rwanda. Despite being a relatively small park at just 1,122 km², it is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including a number of rare species such as the shoebill and sitatunga. Since African Parks assumed management of Akagera with the Rwanda Development Board and established the Akagera Management Company (AMC) in 2010, the partnership has led to several flagship projects, including the reintroduction of lions after a 20-year absence, and plans are now in place to reintroduce black rhino. Akagera is well on track to becoming Rwanda’s only Big Five park and a premiere tourism destination, which is helping the park become financially self-sustaining. © John Dickens The Challenge The Solution Akagera National Park was founded in 1934, and has had Since 2010, African Parks has completely overhauled the law a difficult past. In particular, the Rwandan Civil War in the enforcement efforts, which has dramatically curbed poaching 1990s took its toll on the park when much of the land was in the park and led to crucial arrests for wildlife-related crimes. reallocated as farmland for returning refugees, reducing the As a result, wildlife are now flourishing and Akagera’s tourism park from 2,500 km² to just 1,122 km².
    [Show full text]
  • Bangweulu Hunting Memo Who: This Brief Document Is for the Public
    Bangweulu Hunting Memo Who: This brief document is for the public (to be placed on our website), key donors and partners who have a stake or vested interested in sustainable use of wildlife resources. Background Bangweulu Wetlands is a vast wetland ecosystem that is situated in north-eastern Zambia, covering an area of 6,000 km2. Bangweulu is unique in that it is a Game Management Area (GMA) and a community- owned protected wetland, home to 50,000 people who retain the right to sustainably harvest its natural resources and who depend on the natural resources the park provides. These wetlands and the adjoining lake Bangweulu are biologically significant. The area has been declared a RAMSAR site and contains diverse flora and fauna, including more than 433 bird species. The GMA encompasses most of the distribution of the endemic black lechwe antelope, as well as several other iconic species unique to the area, including the shoebill stork, and remnant elephant and buffalo populations. This landscape has been managed by the Bangweulu Wetlands Management Board (BWMB) since 2008. The Board is a partnership between conservation organisation African Parks, the Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), as well as six Community Resource Boards associated with each Chiefdom. The mission of BWMB is to restore the functioning of the Bangweulu ecosystem, a critical wetland habitat of rich biodiversity that provides socio-economic benefits to the local communities. Prior to the partnership with African Parks, rampant poaching and unrestricted fishing had depleted the area’s natural resources, including the black lechwe population.
    [Show full text]
  • Private Governance of Protected Areas in Africa: Case Studies, Lessons Learnt and Conditions of Success
    Program on African Protected Areas & Conservation (PAPACO) PAPACO study 19 Private governance of protected areas in Africa: case studies, lessons learnt and conditions of success @B. Chataigner Sue Stolton and Nigel Dudley Equilibrium Research & IIED Equilibrium Research offers practical solutions to conservation challenges, from concept, to implementation, to evaluation of impact. With partners ranging from local communities to UN agencies across the world, we explore and develop approaches to natural resource management that balance the needs of nature and people. We see biodiversity conservation as an ethical necessity, which can also support human wellbeing. We run our own portfolio of projects and offer personalised consultancy. Prepared for: IIED under contract to IUCN EARO Reproduction: This publication may be reproduced for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission, provided acknowledgement to the source is made. No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purpose without permission in writing from Equilibrium Research. Citation: Stolton, S and N Dudley (2015). Private governance of protected areas in Africa: Cases studies, lessons learnt and conditions of success. Bristol, UK, Equilibrium Research and London, UK, IIED Cover: Private conservancies in Namibia and Kenya © Equilibrium Research Contact: Equilibrium Research, 47 The Quays Cumberland Road, Spike Island Bristol, BS1 6UQ, UK Telephone: +44 [0]117-925-5393 www.equilibriumconsultants.com Page | 2 Contents 1. Executive summary
    [Show full text]
  • Waging a War to Save Biodiversity: the Rise of Militarized Conservation
    Waging a war to save biodiversity: the rise of militarized conservation ROSALEEN DUFFY* Conserving biodiversity is a central environmental concern, and conservationists increasingly talk in terms of a ‘war’ to save species. International campaigns present a specific image: that parks agencies and conservation NGOs are engaged in a continual battle to protect wildlife from armies of highly organized criminal poach- ers who are financially motivated. The war to save biodiversity is presented as a legitimate war to save critically endangered species such as rhinos, tigers, gorillas and elephants. This is a significant shift in approach since the late 1990s, when community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and participatory techniques were at their peak. Since the early 2000s there has been a re-evaluation of a renewed interest in fortress conservation models to protect wildlife, including by military means.1 Yet, as Lunstrum notes, there is a dearth of research on ‘green militarization’, a process by which military approaches and values are increasingly embedded in conservation practice.2 This article examines the dangers of a ‘war for biodiversity’: notably that it is used to justify highly repressive and coercive policies.3 Militarized forms of anti- poaching are increasingly justified by conservation NGOs keen to protect wildlife; these issues are even more important as conservationists turn to private military companies to guard and enforce protected areas. This article first examines concep- tual debates around the war for biodiversity; second, it offers an analysis of current trends in militarized forms of anti-poaching; third, it offers a critical reflection on such approaches via an examination of the historical, economic, social and political creation of poaching as a mode of illegal behaviour; and finally, it traces how a militarized approach to anti-poaching developed out of the production of poaching as a category.
    [Show full text]
  • Kordofan Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Antiquorum), Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
    Quarterly conservation update – Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum), Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo October-December 2016 Mathias D’haen Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS), Kamýcká 961/129, 165 21 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic Introduction Garamba National Park (GNP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was first established in 1938 by virtue of its uniqueness, one of the first Parks in Africa. Throughout its long history the Park was initially made famous with the world’s only elephant domestication program, coupled with its high numbers of elephant and buffalo, and home to the world’s last northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) population. The Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1996. Sadly, the Park’s infamy has increased through losing the last northern white rhino, and being plagued by numerous groups of rebels, in particular the Lord’s Resistance Army. In fact, the Park, being nestled in the far north-eastern corner of the country, is writing history every day again, not because of the countries’ own destabilised politics (the 2000km between the Park and the countries’ capital creates an efficient buffer), but because of its war against armed militia coming from within and neighbouring countries. GNP, and its adjacent Hunting Reserves, are also home to DRC’s only population of giraffe, historically named ‘Congo giraffe’ (Amube et al. 2009; De Merode et al. 2000; East 1999) but reclassified as they are genetically identical to other Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) across Central Africa (Fennessy et al.
    [Show full text]