Special African Dossier: Wildlife

Wildlife in Africa is under threat from a number of factors including population pressure and migration, land use changes, over-harvesting of natural resources, climatic changes as well as trade in animal skins, meat and trophies.

In East Africa, as is the case in all regions with a significant wildlife population, there is hence an urgent need for active management of this resource. The approach taken by most African countries is the use of protected areas for conservation. Unfortunately, since wildlife is usually to be found in areas also occupied by humans this approach is often challenged on the basis that the enclosure of land for the exclusive preservation of wildlife would infringe on the rights of communities based on or around the area to use the land.

The above are examples of some of the issues facing wildlife management in the East African region. Dr Patricia Kameri-Mbote, IELRC Programme Director in East Africa, has widely written and provided advice on national and regional law and policy in East Africa to various actors ranging from communities, governments and donor agencies.

Selected Documents