How is Africa leading the world in wildlife conservation?

Precious RongmeiPrecious Rongmei/TIMESOFINDIA.COM/ Created : Jul 5, 2024, 21:01 IST

How is Africa leading the world in wildlife conservation?

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Africa's diverse wildlife faces threats like poaching and habitat loss, with conservation efforts making progress but facing challenges. From rhinos to pangolins, the continent's unique species require international cooperation an … Read more

How is Africa leading the world in wildlife conservation?

Africa, a continent renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, stands as an iconic symbol of wildlife conservation. It’s no surprise that Africa’s wildlife is unparalleled in its diversity and richness. From the sweeping savannas of the Serengeti to the dense jungles of the Congo Basin, the continent supports a vast array of species, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. These animals are not just ecological treasures; they are also cultural icons and vital components of Africa’s biodiversity.

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Speaking of the Big Five, it’s a well-known fact that witnessing the Big Five in the wild is every wildlife enthusiast’s dream. It’s important to note that wildlife safaris play a crucial role in the conservation of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) in Africa. The revenue generated from safari tourism supports the maintenance and management of protected areas, anti-poaching efforts, and community development projects. By creating jobs and generating income for local communities, safaris help foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards wildlife conservation.

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Significance of wildlife conservation in Africa

Wildlife conservation in Africa is crucial not only for preserving this natural heritage but also for sustaining local communities. Tourism, driven largely by wildlife enthusiasts, significantly contributes to the economies of many African countries. Safeguarding wildlife ensures the continued flow of tourism revenue, which in turn supports conservation initiatives and community development projects.

Numerous conservancies across Africa are at the forefront of wildlife conservation, each playing a vital role in protecting endangered species and their habitats. These conservancies are often private or community-led initiatives that complement national parks and government efforts.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya: Known for its robust rhino conservation program. Speaking of rhino conservation efforts, the last living male northern white rhino sadly passed away on March 19, 2018. The conservancy is home to the last two female northern white rhinos in the world. And sadly they are the only ones left of the subspecies. The northern white rhinos in zoos also are now all dead. The conservancy is involved in innovative genetic research to save the subspecies from extinction. One can only hope.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa: Adjacent to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands is renowned for its successful leopard conservation efforts. The reserve’s effective anti-poaching measures and community engagement programs have contributed to a stable and thriving leopard population.

Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique: This park has made remarkable strides in wildlife restoration following years of civil conflict. The Gorongosa Restoration Project focuses on rewilding and habitat restoration, resulting in a significant increase in populations of elephants, lions, and other species.

Virunga National Park in DR Congo: Africa’s oldest national park, Virunga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a critical habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla. The park’s conservation efforts are supported by local communities and international partnerships, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches to wildlife protection.

Niassa Reserve in Mozambique: This vast wilderness area is pivotal for elephant conservation. Despite facing severe poaching threats, the reserve’s anti-poaching initiatives and community-based conservation programs have shown promising results in stabilising elephant populations.

Rhino conservation: Challenges and progress

Rhinos, iconic symbols of African wildlife, face critical threats from poaching and habitat loss. Despite these challenges, concerted conservation efforts have yielded notable successes.

Black rhinos: Once on the brink of extinction, black rhino populations are gradually recovering, thanks to intensive protection measures. Initiatives like the Black Rhino Expansion Project in South Africa have established new populations in secure areas, boosting their numbers and genetic diversity.

White rhinos: The southern white rhino is a conservation success story, with populations rebounding from near extinction. However, with only two females left, the northern white rhino remains critically endangered. Efforts are underway to use advanced reproductive technologies to revive the subspecies.

Anti-poaching efforts: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the critically endangered rhinos are 24x7 under the watchful eyes of armed security personnel. Across Africa, anti-poaching units equipped with modern technology, such as drones and surveillance systems, are combating wildlife crime.

Most trafficked mammals – The story of pangolin conservation in Africa

Did you know that out of eight species of pangolins (globally), four are found in the continent of Africa? Rhinos have seen the worst of times, there’s no doubt about that; but pangolins too have got it pretty bad. Pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world, and all for its scales. Turns out, pangolin’s scales and rhinos’ horns are made of keratin – what our hair and nails are made of.

But I digress.

Coming back to the Pangolins, they are dubbed the most trafficked mammals in the world, facing rampant poaching driven by high demand for their scales and meat. The scales are particularly prized in traditional medicine across Asia, leading to a lucrative and illicit trade.

In addition to poaching, habitat loss poses a significant threat to African pangolins. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development, is steadily encroaching on their natural habitats. As forests are cleared and fragmented, pangolins lose the cover and food sources they rely on, making survival increasingly difficult.

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Conservation efforts are underway, with various organisations and governments working to protect these unique creatures. National laws in many African countries provide some level of protection, but enforcement is often weak due to limited resources and corruption. Anti-poaching initiatives, community engagement, and wildlife trafficking crackdowns are critical components of these efforts. Moreover, international collaborations aim to curb the demand for pangolin products by advocating for stricter penalties and reducing consumer demand through education and outreach.

Despite these efforts, the road to securing a future for African pangolins is fraught with challenges. Effective conservation requires a multifaceted approach, combining strong legal frameworks, effective enforcement, habitat preservation, and international cooperation. There is a growing recognition of the need for more comprehensive and integrated strategies to ensure that pangolins do not continue their tragic slide towards extinction. The success of these conservation efforts will depend largely on sustained commitment and collaboration across borders, involving governments, NGOs, local communities, and the global community.

Also read: 5 famous national parks in Gujarat for wildlife enthusiasts

While we learn and relearn about the importance of wildlife conservation, let’s bring our attention to the fact that it is very possible that during our lifetime, we might see the extinction of rhinos and several other animals and birds (our very own Great Indian Bustard, and Bengal Florican), thanks to the current trends in poaching, habitat loss, and insufficient conservation efforts.