Wildlife Working for Sustainable Development

The conservation of wildlife is sometimes presented as being at best irrelevant, at worst an obstacle to development. It is, in fact, neither. The actual and potential contribution of wildlife to economic and social development could be substantial (Prescott-Allen and Prescott-Allen, 1982), but has long been overlooked. By carefully conserving and managing wildlife in protected areas, development planners can capitalise on its value in terms of food and by-products (hides, etc.), employment generation, trophies and fees, and can maximise its value on the hoof to tourism. The revenues accruing from well-managed wildlife utilisation are very considerable and, if ploughed directly back into rural development programmes, can benefit local communities.