Armed conflicts and wildlife decline: Challenges and recommendations for effective conservation policy in the Sahara‐Sahel. Issue 5 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brito, José Carlos; Durant, Sarah M.; Pettorelli, Nathalie; Newby, John; Canney, Susan; Algadafi, Walid; Rabeil, Thomas; Crochet, Pierre‐André; Pleguezuelos, Juan Manuel; Wacher, Tim; de Smet, Koen; Gonçalves, Duarte Vasconcelos; da Silva, Maria Joana Ferreira; Martínez‐Freiría, Fernando; Abáigar, Teresa; Campos, João Carlos; Comizzoli, Pierre; Fahd, Soumía; Fellous, Amina; Garba, Hamissou Halilou Malam; Hamidou, Dieng; Harouna, Abdoulaye; Hatcha, Mahamat Hassan; Nagy, Abdullah; Silva, Teresa Luísa; Sow, Andack Saad; Vale, Cândida Gomes; Boratyński, Zbyszek; Rebelo, Hugo; Carvalho, Sílvia B.
• Is Part Of: Conservation letters. Volume 11:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: accessibility -- biodiversity loss -- conservation actions -- human development -- illegal wildlife killing -- megafauna -- natural resources extraction -- political instability -- population decline -- threat mapping; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Biodiversity -- Monitoring -- Periodicals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1111/conl.12446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-263X

Abstract

Abstract: Increasing conflicts and social insecurity are expected to accelerate biodiversity decline and escalate illegal wildlife killing. Sahara‐Sahel megafauna has experienced recent continuous decline due to unsustainable hunting pressure. Here, we provide the best available data on distribution and population trends of threatened, large vertebrates, to illustrate how escalating regional conflict (565% growth since 2011) is hastening population decline in areas that were formerly refugia for megafauna. Without conservation action, the unique and iconic biodiversity of Earth's largest desert will be forever lost. We recommend: (1) establishing strong commitments for change in global attitude toward nature; (2) engraining a culture of environmental responsibility among all stakeholders; (3) fostering environmental awareness to drive societal change; (4) reinforcing regional security and firearms control; and (5) implementing local research and wildlife monitoring schemes. We identify relevant international partners needed to tackle these challenges and to make strong policy change for biodiversity conservation and regional stability.