From Poaching to Prosperity: How the Wildlife Economy Works

In a world with a growing population and shrinking space for wild animals, is there a future for Africa’s wildlife beyond a few state-protected areas? Yes, there is! If we use it rather than lose it.

Using wild plants and animals in a way that generates economic returns for the people that conserve them is known as the wildlife economy. If the wildlife economy outperforms other land uses such as domestic livestock farming, then wildlife will be a more attractive option and the amount of land under wildlife will increase, as will wildlife numbers and benefits to biodiversity. Here, we focus on how the sustainable, legal use of wild animals sustains a vibrant wildlife economy and contributes to nature conservation…