When you put it that bluntly, yes, I do.
The history of African resistance to British Colonial rule is overwhelming a history of resistance to British sustainability and conservation laws. Especially those affecting livestock ranching, like stock limits on grazing, and the creation of National Parks and Reserves.
I may disagree with Africans' decisions , but I don't disagree with their right to make them.
I’m trying to be a voice for the wildlife here, someone needs to speak up for them.
I know a (White South African) ecologist who has done a lot of work in Namibia and Botswana.
Its important to highlight alternatives to culling and livestock ranching, but it is an all-options-on-table situation. Africans do not want to be the ones giving up economic opportunities just to preserve animals widely hated and feared.
Most of these animals are not as you put it ‘widely hated and feared’.
Should we allow them to further edge towards extinction, and maybe inform generations that we did nothing to protect them?
Would be interesting to see how much their economic system collapses once tourism ceases due to no wildlife in the country.
They can however work together with the local communities in order to protect their farming practices as well as also preventing wildlife and human conflicts.
Everything you said there could have been a quote from an 1800s British proclamation.
I don't understand the spiritual, social and economic centrality of cattle-ranching in Bantu life. Neither do you.
These are not OUR decisions to make. They are for Africans to make.
My friend has helped try to persuade Africans that extinction is a thing that can happen, and that it can happen from purely material rather than spiritual actions. This is a bizarre belief to hold from an authentic African point of view. But money helps buy, if not belief, then at least compliance.
And increasingly-educated African leaders can be persuaded by dollars and business plans, not just traditional beliefs.
Our job is to get out of the way, and stop taking money off their tables.
You are making assumptions here, speak for yourself on what you do or do not understand.
You cannot speak for me as you do not know me or know what I know or what I understand, and I will not get out of the way.
And if you don’t like what I say or post, then free yourself and unfollow me!
I'm feeling quite vindicated in my assumptions there.
But I'm not going to unfollow you - nostr is great for encountering viewpoints other than our own.
Thank you for the frank exchange of viewpoints, and will see you 'round
You may find some of the reports on this website interesting as a different viewpoint from yours.
