Saving gorillas, elephants starts with understanding their human neighbors
source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113172140.htm
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Understanding local human cultures is key to preserving gorillas, elephants and other wildlife in African parks and reserves, according to new research from Purdue University.
"Conservation efforts and the management of protected areas are often designed with the best intentions, but sometimes supporting scientific data is missing or incorrect assumptions are made about a local culture or even the outsiders or trade that plays a role in the area," said Melissa Remis, a professor of anthropology who studies gorillas.
"Conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife, you also need to consider the human dimension such as how local hunting technologies or even migration can change how land is used."
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Researchers found that selective logging opens light gaps in the forest that result in new herbaceous vegetation growth. This food source helps sustain the local antelope, which are called duikers. These antelope, whose populations are declining, are the primary food source for most people in the area, and some local residents have been hunting gorillas as a substitute as for duiker. A stable duiker population would help take the hunting pressure off the protected species, Remis said.
Remis and Rebecca Hardin, an associate professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources have studied the cultures and the animals, specifically elephants and gorillas, in this area since the 1990s.
In addition to regular animal censuses, the researchers interviewed park guards, tourists, local residents and others. Findings from this research, which includes data up to 2005, appeared in last month's Conservation Biology. The research team also is evaluating additional data from 2005 to 2008.
These recent animal censuses show that the local gorilla and elephant populations are declining even in the heart of the protected area.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113172140.htm
"Conservation efforts and the management of protected areas are often designed with the best intentions, but sometimes supporting scientific data is missing or incorrect assumptions are made about a local culture or even the outsiders or trade that plays a role in the area," said Melissa Remis, a professor of anthropology who studies gorillas.
"Conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife, you also need to consider the human dimension such as how local hunting technologies or even migration can change how land is used."
...
Researchers found that selective logging opens light gaps in the forest that result in new herbaceous vegetation growth. This food source helps sustain the local antelope, which are called duikers. These antelope, whose populations are declining, are the primary food source for most people in the area, and some local residents have been hunting gorillas as a substitute as for duiker. A stable duiker population would help take the hunting pressure off the protected species, Remis said.
Remis and Rebecca Hardin, an associate professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources have studied the cultures and the animals, specifically elephants and gorillas, in this area since the 1990s.
In addition to regular animal censuses, the researchers interviewed park guards, tourists, local residents and others. Findings from this research, which includes data up to 2005, appeared in last month's Conservation Biology. The research team also is evaluating additional data from 2005 to 2008.
These recent animal censuses show that the local gorilla and elephant populations are declining even in the heart of the protected area.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113172140.htm
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