Community engagement in wildlife conservation

Abstract:  With a growing population in the world today, the pressure on land areas and wildlife is also increasing. In order to preserve certain land areas and endangered wildlife, so called community-based conservation programs are being created around the world. These programmes are aiming to benefit both local communities and wildlife in the same area. The difficult task is, however, to create incentive for poor communities to devotedly participate in these projects in order to prevent poaching, a common problem within conservation conflicts. It is important to consider all aspects regarding this issue, both from a conservation management and the communities’ point of view, and many times a change in behaviour, attitude and participation plays a key role in reaching the conservation and community goal.