Exploring East Africa’s Wildlife Economy
16 May - 20 Jun 2024
A series of online dialogues hosted by the African Wildlife Economy Institute, Stellenbosch University in partnership with the ALU School of Wildlife Conservation, ShareScreen Africa, and Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation.
Video recordings available.
Across East Africa, people use wild species, and this use contributes to both conservation and human well-being. In this series, we will discuss various uses of wild species in East Africa’s wildlife economy. How are wild species being used in East Africa to provide benefits to people? What are the policy pathways for ensuring that the use of wild species is sustainable?
What is the wildlife economy?
The idea of a wildlife economy comes from a recognition that use of wild species can conserve species and their habitats through providing benefits for people. Sustainable use establishes a mutually beneficial relationship between wildlife and people. This recognition is clear stated in the original UCN definitions of conservation:
Conservation is defined here as: the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.
World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development (IUCN et al, 1980)
Conservation is the management of human use of organisms and ecosystems to ensure such use is sustainable.
Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living (IUCN et al, 1991)
This importance of wildlife use has been recently reaffirmed with the adoption of the by Global Biodiversity Framework by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, notably with these two targets:
Target 5. Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal…
Target 9: Ensure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people...Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD COP15, 2022)
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