Conservation
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Introduction | Threats | Solutions | What can You do?

Conservation-oriented research

Field research has become intimately linked to conservation efforts, as primatologists have witnessed the decline of the great apes and the destruction of their habitats, and have become strong advocates for conservation. Research projects bring in foreign exchange, provide some employment for local people, and focus attention on the area of study. If the site conserved is already protected, the research project and its staff can be a source of practical support and knowledge to those responsible. If it is not protected, the results of the study or survey may persuade local authorities that it should be.


Integrating approaches

It has increasingly been recognized that biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are inextricably linked. Consequently, addressing the most immediate concerns of local people living around protected area, such as improving health care and access to education, has become a feature of conservation policy. Two common approaches that attempt to link the conservation of natural resources and development needs of local people are integrated conservation and development projects and community-based conservation. These both aim to alleviate poverty and make rural livelihoods more sustainable, especially in and near protected areas.

Such projects typically promote activities such as:
1. bee-keeping;
2. agroforestry, i.e. growing trees along with crops for building poles, firewood, char-coal, silage, etc.;
3. tree nurseries, for species bearing fruit and other foodstuffs, firewood and palm oil;
4. sustainable farming, for cash and subsistence crops;
5. ecotourism, where appropriate;
6. environmental education;
7. family planning;
8. clean water;
9. low-fuel stoves;
10. health care;
11. microcredit loans.


Public education

Beside the fundamental reform of governance, investment, trade, national economic development and poverty eradication, conservation education is arguably the most important tool for saving the great apes. Without awareness and understanding among stakeholders, other measures are likely to be ineffective. Most great ape conservation programs therefore have an educational component. Most of great ape range states and provinces have significant weaknesses in the areas of education and literacy, so approaches intended to increase public awareness of conservation issues must be designed to take account of constraints the target societies and educational systems.
Various techniques have been used, based for instance on the use of comic books and theater.