Private Reserves

Abstract

Private protected areas have existed in some form for centuries but have witnessed a surge in popularity and impact in the last decades. Private reserves are often considered as complementary to nationally protected areas, increasing their impact through proximity to larger protected areas. Private reserves are particularly useful in areas of high human population densities, where they cover generally small areas, although some do cover extensive areas. Reasons for creating private reserves can vary from economic to purely altruistic. The first private reserves created specifically for the conservation of primates began in the 1980s. Now the survival of many primate species is supported by private reserves.