Armed conflicts and wildlife decline: Challenges and recommendations for effective conservation policy in the Sahara‐Sahel

José Carlos Brito,Tim Wacher,Hugo Rebelo,Pierre Comizzoli,Fernando Martínez‐Freiría,Abdoulaye Harouna,Nathalie Pettorelli,Andack Saad Sow,Sarah M Durant,Maria Joana Ferreira Da Silva,Zbyszek Boratyński,Sílvia B Carvalho,John Newby,Abdullah Nagy,Koen De Smet,Amina Fellous,Teresa Abáigar,Soumía Fahd,Pierre‐André Crochet,Teresa Luísa Silva,Cândida Gomes Vale,Mahamat Hassan Hatcha,Thomas Rabeil,Walid Algadafi,Hamissou Garba ,Hamady Dieng ,Susan M Canney ,Duarte V Gonçãlves ,Juan M Pleguezuelos

doi:10.1111/conl.12446

Abstract

AbstractIncreasing 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.

Highlights

Conflict and social insecurity are known to accelerate biodiversity decline globally and escalate illegal killing of wildlife (Douglas & Alie, 2014; Gaynor et al, 2016)
The increased accessibility of previously remote areas and firearms have dramatically amplified the impact of hunting activities (Brito et al, 2014; Newby, Wacher, Durant, Pettorelli, & Gilbert, 2016; Text S1)
Growing global demands for natural resources have prompted regional mineral exploitation, which in turn has further contributed to greater accessibility and illegal wildlife hunting (Duncan, Kretz, Wegmann, Rabeil, & Pettorelli, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Conflict and social insecurity are known to accelerate biodiversity decline globally and escalate illegal killing of wildlife (Douglas & Alie, 2014; Gaynor et al, 2016). 12 large-sized vertebrates (out of 14 assessed in Durant et al, 2014) have been listed as Extinct in the Wild or are globally threatened with extinction. Exacerbating this scenario, there is an unprecedented growth in regional instability, characterized by extremist groups carrying out attacks, kidnapping, enslaving, and smuggling arms and drugs to finance their activities (OECDSWAC, 2014). Insecurity spans across almost all the Sahara-Sahel (Brito et al, 2014; OECD-SWAC, 2014)

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