Human engagement and great ape conservation in Africa

Abstract

Despite large investments of funding into great ape conservation in Africa, wild populations of gorillas (Gorilla ssp), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ssp) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) continue to decline. Causes for this decline fall into three broad categories: habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disease. Contributing factors to all of these causes are linked to pressure from the expanding human population competing for forest resources. We have moved beyond the time of debating the pros and cons of including human engagement activities in conservation. If humans are part of the problem, they must also be part of the solution. To move our understanding of which human engagement activities are effective, what methodologies are being used and best practices for setting up a successful framework, we interviewed practitioners representing 53 projects working in great ape habitat in Africa. The interviewees represented almost 900 years of experience with African great ape conservation. We found that all practitioners agreed that for conservation to succeed, projects must engage with humans utilizing resources from great ape habitats. However, evaluation of such work was elusive. Projects that employed at least one person designated as an educator were more likely to have structured programs, regular engagement activities, and to evaluate their work. To date, little information on the success or failure of the activities has been published, thus perpetuating the problem of relying on personal experience rather than evidence when developing new engagement programs. Additionally, linking human engagement activities to biological impact remains a challenge. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the importance placed on human engagement activities to effectively conserve great apes in Africa while at the same time identifies gaps in our understanding on the link between such activities and project success.

A case study of improved cook stoves in primate conservation from Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Great apes, other nonhuman primates, and their habitats are under heavy pressure from a growing human population, and this conflict is expected to only intensify in coming years (Estrada et al, 2017). Engaging with local communities to solve for human–primate coexistence is a major, complex challenge, but one that is considered imperative for conservation to succeed (Bettinger et al, 2020, this volume). Funding and human resources are limited, however, so conservation efforts generally, and human behavior change projects specifically, must prioritize interventions where change is most needed and success is likely.…”

“…This type of iterative evaluation and troubleshooting requires time and effort and, ultimately, human resources. Bettinger et al (2020, this volume) found that a limiting factor to whether human engagement initiatives of African ape projects were evaluated was whether the projects had dedicated education teams. Our campaign and follow‐up support was done in one village and over a relatively short period of time (3 years total), but that still required many months of intensive work by GRACE's full‐time, four‐person education team.…”

“…Indeed, many factors have now been identified that contribute to the success or failure of improved stove initiatives (Rehfuess et al, 2014). However, like many human engagement projects in primate conservation (e.g., Bettinger et al, 2020, this volume; Kling & Hopkins, 2015), outcomes of improved stove efforts are rarely or only informally (e.g., Hance, 2013; Sullivan, 2016) published, making it difficult for practitioners to determine whether improved stoves are a good use of limited conservation funds.…”

Place-Based Bias in Environmental Scholarship Derived from Social–Ecological Landscapes of Fear

“…Improper evaluation of success and nonholistic collaborations can worsen wildlife vulnerability despite much involvement from communities to create work plans with conservation organizations (Bettinger et al. 2021 ). Without genuine remorse and introspection for violence by colonial power paradigms, community collaboration and the insensitivity of negative legacy effects can reproduce harm, especially in areas where high conservation is abutted by colonialism-induced poverty (Petts 2007 ).…”

Working from the Inside Out: Fostering Intrinsic Motivation and Expanding Our Criteria for Conservation Success

“…Undoubtedly this is done with the best intentions, for example “If only local people knew what we know, they would realise how important this primate/habitat is and stop their harmful practices.” But education frequently echoes a colonialist narrative and implies that certain types of knowledge are more valid than others. Not only is this attitude disrespectful, but there is a danger that education given without full understanding of the local cultural and social context may be offensive, ignored as worthless, or potentially culturally destructive (Bettinger et al, 2021 ; Bettinger & Leighty, 2021 ; Wallis & Lonsdorf, 2010 ). Such an approach can be counter-productive, in that local people may become alienated or unwilling to engage with conservation efforts.…”