Three Ways to Help Conserve African Wildlife
Guest Bloggers: Alyssa Hayes and Amelia Keng
Photo credit: A. Hayes, 2023
In August 2023, Alyssa Hayes traveled to South Africa and spent a week on a wildlife preserve called Sabi Sands. This preserve is located directly next to Kruger National Park in the northern part of South Africa. Since there is no fence between Sabi Sands and Kruger, the wildlife roams freely across both areas.
Each day while at the reserve, our group went on two multi-hour drives through the savannah. On each drive, there was a tracker (a person who helped to find and then identify the animals) who sat on the very front of the Land Rover, and also a ranger who drove the Land Rover. Both the tracker and the ranger provided explanations about the animals, their behavior, and their natural habitat. Visitors also participated in a bush walk through the savannah, where they saw the paw prints and droppings (or scat) of several different animals. On that walk, visitors also saw the skeleton of a giraffe, a resulting casualty from an attack by a pride of lions (Panthera leo).
The Sabi Sands lodge where the visitors stayed was located directly next to a river. It was an “open” lodge, which means that it did not have any fences around its property. As a result, there were many animals on the property. During the day, there were both impalas (Aepyceros melampus) and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), a form of antelope, as well as Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) and Samango monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) and the
largest monkey, the Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and its close relative the Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus), the Olive baboon (Papio anubis), and the Guinea baboon (Papio papio). Several days there were lions and elephants drinking from the river that they could watch from their deck. At night, there were hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius), elephants (Loxodonta africana), and lions (Panthera leo) roaming through the property. Accordingly, guests were not allowed to leave their villas, unless they had a ranger as an escort.This fascinating trip made us want to know more about how to protect these animals and their natural environment.
African wildlife symbolizes the natural beauty of Africa. However, habitat loss, poaching, and climate change are currently threatening the existence of these species. According to the African Center, over 6,400 animals and 3,100 plants are at risk of extinction because of these factors.
If you’re curious to learn more about ways to protect African wildlife, we have provided the following three recommendations for you to get involved:
1. Facilitate Community Engagement and Education.
Source: Stock Images
Educating others about the importance of protecting African wildlife can be vital to protect their habitats. We can do this by educating people about why wildlife conservation is important, which can raise awareness about the issue.
It is important to start educating children when they are young, so they understand the benefits and dangers of nature. Engaging communities like schools and neighboring families can help empower people to participate in conservation efforts as well as understand the importance of preserving these species.
Suggested Steps to Follow:
Donate to wildlife conservation organizations, such as The African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk Trust, Cheetah Conservation Fund, etc.
Participate in conservation volunteering, such as animal rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary support.conservation through school clubs, scouts, and other youth
Support youth engagement, such as learning about organizations.
2. Wildlife Monitoring and Research:
Photo credit: A. Hayes, 2023
Researching and monitoring the wildlife in Africa can be vital for their survival. By monitoring wildlife, we can determine which species are the most common, rare, threatened, or endangered. Wildlife monitoring can be important to keep track of poaching incidents, population demographics, or breakouts.
This will allow any person to learn about the types of species that need the most protection, so they can advocate for efforts to help species not becoming extinct. Overall, wildlife monitoring and research are both important in order to protect African wildlife.
Suggested Steps to Follow:
Monitor wildlife by using tracking apps, such as iNaturalist or MammalMAP or document and share observations.
Join conservation networks to engage with online communities and share knowledge on animal conservation efforts.
Conduct your own research by creating local wildlife surveys and share the data with others.
3. Consider International Collaboration.
Source: qs.com
For a long time, many countries in Africa were wildlife trafficking hotpots. However, many countries have started conservation efforts to combat the illegal trade of these animals. International collaboration is important in order to take down poaching syndicates. By collaborating with neighboring countries, Africa will have the resources to be able to prevent the poaching of wildlife.
As countries work together, they will be able to create laws and consequences to stop people from illegally poaching the wildlife. In recent years, some progress has been made, but it is still estimated that 55 African Elephants are poached each day. Overall, international collaboration can be vital to prevent the wildlife in Africa from becoming extinct.
Suggested Steps to Follow:
Support International Conservation Organizations, such as donating or volunteering with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, African Wildlife Foundation, and Conservation International.
Raise awareness on global platforms, like social media and global campaigns, with details of specific problems or needs.
Collaborate with international Research Initiatives, such as the Great Elephant Census or the Global Big Cat Conservation Network.
Climate change concerns are growing at a rapid rate, which magnifies the problems and challenges described above. We welcome your suggestions for helping to protect wildlife. With your help, we will be able to save African wildlife.
Who is the person behind the research?
Hello! My name is Amelia Keng. I am currently a senior at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Virginia. I am passionate about environmental science and I plan on majoring in that field in college at Denison University. The Virginia Tech Thinkabit Lab has given me opportunities to research more about conservation efforts and how to help save African wildlife. One of my goals for this project is to educate the everyday person about how to save African wildlife, as well as how to bring awareness to others.
Connect with me:
I am always willing to hear your thoughts about my research, so feel free to reach out. Thank you for reading!
Amelia Keng | she/her
Who is the person behind the research?
Hello! My name is Alyssa Hayes. I am currently a senior at Washington-Liberty, located in Arlington, VA, while interning for the Virginia Tech Thinkabit Lab. I am passionate about protecting and helping animals because I want to pursue a career in the veterinary field in the future. The Virginia Tech Thinkabit Lab has given me opportunities to dive deeper into my research on African wildlife. My goal for this project is to educate others and bring awareness.
Connect with me:
I am always willing to hear your thoughts about my research, so feel free to reach out to me. Thanks for reading!
Alyssa Hayes | she/her
Works Cited:
"African Wildlife Foundation." Land & Habitat Protection, African Wildlife Foundation, www.awf.org/land-habitat-protection
Gef. “Here’s How Technology Is Helping Save Endangered Wildlife.” Medium, Medium, 31 Mar. 2020, thegef.medium.com/heres-how-technology-is-helping-save-endangered-wildlife-aa07486efcb6.
"TRAFFIC." African Elephant Conservation, TRAFFIC, www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/elephants-ivory/
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