Is Wildlife Management and Conservation Obsolete?
Victoria Wanjohi
Wildlife Conservation Scientist | Conservation and Climate Change Writer, Photographer and Filmmaker | Founder Nyika Silika and Biophilic Conversations
I am beginning to question whether there is a need to study Wildlife Management and Conservation in Kenya. Recently, I had the opportunity to engage in conversations with seasoned professionals who have dedicated their lives to wildlife conservation, some of whom have more knowledge and experience in this field than my entire lifetime. However, I am left questioning the dissemination of this wealth of knowledge. Who is benefiting from it? Who will carry on the torch and continue the legacy?
It is also disheartening to learn that Egerton University has recently closed its Wildlife Management course, which is truly perplexing. This development raises the question of whether Wildlife Management has become an obsolete course. As I reflect on my own experience studying this discipline at the University of Nairobi (UON), I recall that our class was relatively small, with only 15 students. Additionally, the gender imbalance was evident, as there were only two female students among us. To add more drama, it appears that the number of graduates pursuing a career in wildlife management is minimal, possibly representing only 1% of the graduating class. If we were to consider the fate of other graduating classes, the situation is likely to be similar, with perhaps higher success rates observed among the pioneering class.
This observation raises important questions about the perception of Wildlife courses in Kenya and whether there is a significant gap compared to disciplines such as Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Education and Natural Sciences. It also prompts consideration of the level of thought put into the development of the Wildlife Management course. Apart from alumni from the University of Nairobi, the number of individuals I am aware of who have studied this course at other universities is limited. These inquiries lead me to ponder the need for mentorship and guidance from seasoned professionals with over 30 years of experience in order to fulfil the responsibilities associated with this course. As I continue to engage intentionally with experts in the field, I hope to gain insights and guidance that will contribute to the growth and impact of Wildlife Management in Kenya.
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Another issue worth noting is the historical opportunity that studying Wildlife Management provided, with the chance to join law enforcement at the Kenya Wildlife Service Field Training School in Manyani, starting from the corporal level. This route was commonly pursued by many students. Unfortunately, recruitment for this path ceased in 2014 (as per my knowledge), just before my graduation year. Presently, the Kenya Wildlife Service has a workforce of over 7,000 employees, but a significant portion is approaching retirement age or has already retired. Some are unable to keep up with the challenges posed by poachers. Consequently, the existing staff members are burdened with heavy workloads, raising the question of when recruitment will resume. Thankfully, I have been part of discussions where the possibility of reinstating the recruitment process has been deliberated. If the Kenya Forest Service is actively recruiting, then why not the Kenya Wildlife Service? We remain hopeful that the current administration will take action on this matter as we continue to advocate for change.
It is my hope that other universities offering this course, however, few they may be, do not think about terminating it. We rely on the Wildlife Conservation and Management Professionals Society of Kenya to support the continuance of this vital programme. Wildlife Management is of paramount importance, just like any other discipline related to the environment.
In fact, it was because of these circumstances and worries that I decided to start Biophilic Conversations in 2019. I saw the need for a platform that could encourage and inspire students to seek opportunities in conservation while also offering them helpful advice and insider knowledge of the industry. Through exchanging information, wisdom, and guidance it has been our hope to inspire and support the next generation of professionals in this space. We continue to build a welcoming community that can collectively support conservation efforts in Kenya and beyond.
Student at Makerere University
1 年Thanks Victoria for this well elaborated piece of information, which you have generously shared. It is indeed true and as well disturbing to have a range of training institutions that formerly trained/taught wildlife management courses acting like it's no longer prioritized! In fact the same experience is here in Uganda. Makerere University scrapped its Bachelor's degree course in Wildlife Health and Management a few years back, leaving such a big gap in the wildlife conservation arena. As the current conservation practitioners age and retire from active service, a big vacuum remains behind with no trained manpower to fill it up.
Conservation educator at Africa Climate Environment Foundation & Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya| Youth Empowerment
1 年Hello Vicky. I also get very concerned and the worry is usually the slow and sometimes none passage of the info
CEO at WildlifeDirect
1 年Thank you a victirua. This is a very important issue. Needs much consideration. You’ve left me thinking.
Holistc Landscape Restoration: Creating Shared Spaces so Humans and Nature can Florish and Thrive
1 年Very interesting and timely question. I strongly feel the need to reinvent the way we project conservation and wildlife management. Let me use the example of india, this is because conservation approaches are different in different parts of the world. Wildlife, forests or any natural resources as a topic are linked with economic development of the local communities. Because of this linkage, a whole sector that supports conservation and management of wildlife has emerged. Now the millions of people working in the wildlife sector have to keep the jobs and more new ones are joining. Likewise, the local communities futures are liked to the economic development promises too and their populations are nearly doubling every 20 years. What this means is we need multi- disciplinary teams and organisations that work in coalitions to solve 21st century wildlife conservation and management issues. Its an amazing challenge and not for the purist-romantic or the faint hearted. We need to think in new ways to address challenges that are pressing and solve them at scale.
By Experience Professor & Conservation Curriculum Designer
1 年Victoria, wildlife management is definitely not obsolete but, in order to achieve good management, we need comprehensive research and this is something that KWS, and one assumes, the Kenya government behind them, is blocking by making into a money-making business! Putting high fees on research permits and actively discouraging any researchers from working within Kenya and learning from the knowledge of those wildlife professionals who live and call Kenya home. Perhaps your next blog could highlight these huge blockages that really are the elephant in the room when looking towards effective conservation strategies for the future. The question is whether KWS is open to conservation through sustainable utilisation, and learning through research or does it simply exhibit a protectionist policy which keeps everybody else's hands tied and leaves only a place for them to operate, whether incompetently or competently depending on the person and the bureaucracy involved. Please do see if you can interview any of the Professionals out there, and ask them the fees involved in trying to do research in our wonderful country. It is a topic we desperately need to highlight and get policies changed.