Conservation and Wildlife Management

Job overview
With the world's natural resources being depleted at an alarming rate, man is becoming increasingly aware of the need to counteract this trend.

One aspect of this awareness is a growing interest in conservation.

The term “sustainable utilisation?”? is being used ever more frequently.

What careers are available in this area?
In Zimbabwe the official body responsible for the conservation of the environment and of the fauna and flora inside the national parks is the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management.

Private game reserves also can be vital forces in conservation.

Outside the parks there is much to be done by the authorities by way of managing conservation areas, enforcing conservation laws, controlling the utilisation of natural resources like fisheries, game and wild flower resources, and providing advice to landowners, local authorities and the general public on conservation matters.

They also have a responsibility to incorporate local communities into the decision making process.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management itself offers career opportunities and various others exist in the different sections of conservation.

Wildlife management?
The management of state and private conservation areas, game ranches and other natural areas offers opportunities for people with training in this field.

The primary objectives are the conservation and management of natural ecosystems, natural habitats and rare or endangered plant or animal communities.

This involves the study and monitoring of plant and animal communities and their scientific management.

Some staff may be more involved with practical aspects such as game capture, infrastructure development and maintenance, and tourism.

The management of conservation areas is mostly carried out by professionals, supported by other staff such as game guards, gate guards and general assistants.

Extension
An important aspect of conservation is the education of the public on matters such as: possible negative effects of the land-use practices of farmers, game ranching, stocking of dams with fish, exploitation of wild flowers and problems with wild animals coming into conflict with farming activities.

It is vitally important to be able to communicate effectively with local communities, including rural ones, and to gain their co-operation and participation in conservation projects.

For this type of work knowledge of biology and conservation theory and practice must be combined with expertise in the principles of dealing with rural communities, i.e. ?environmental anthropology.

Law enforcement?
Especially where rare and endangered plants and animals are involved, ensuring that the public do not harm them is an important function.

Poaching of game is always a problem, as can be the misuse of natural resources by industry for example.

Law enforcement officers must have a basic knowledge of the classification of plants and animals.

They must also have a sound knowledge of the relevant legislation, investigative methods and court procedures.

Environmental education
The future of conservation depends upon the education of the young and it is vital to create amongst them an awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.

Formal programmes are offered to schools and adult groups at environmental educational centres and informal programmes are offered at nature reserves.

Professional wildlife staff, preferably those with teaching experience, plan and carry out these environmental educational programmes in association with communication specialists.

Scientific services
Scientific services supply the knowledge necessary for improving decision making in conservation.

Professional staff draw up inventories of resources of fauna and flora, evaluate the likely impact of proposed developments e.g. ?roads, dams etc,- develop habitat and wildlife management programmes and monitor the effectiveness of such management plans for conservation areas.

Publicity services
The production of published material in the form of books, pamphlets, posters, videos, etc. ?is an important aspect of conservation work.

This material is for distribution to the public and for displays at exhibitions and shows.

Liaison with the media is equally important, as the public must be kept informed of the activities of the various organisations and of the advances in the fields of conservation and management in general.

Professional and technical conservation staff, artists, photographers and journalists are all employed in this section.

All of them must have appropriate qualifications or experience to qualify for appointment.

Administration?
Administrative staff draft legislation, administer finances, acquire materials and equipment etc.

What kinds of people are suitable for these careers?
A first requirement is that everyone doing this kind of work should be sincerely interested in the environment and conservation and should be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions often for long tedious hours.

Knowledge of local customs and languages is an advantage, especially when working in rural areas.

Perseverance is important too for routine work and unpleasant tasks such as the culling of animals.

What qualifications are needed?
Today, the professional jobs will go to people with a university first degree in biological sciences, and preferably a postgraduate qualification in a more narrowly focussed area.

Less specialised jobs, such as game guard, will not require formal qualifications, but familiarity with the bush, love of nature and ability to communicate with tourists and others are an advantage.