Livelihood Security and Perceived Prevalence of Illegal Activities Threatening Mountain Gorilla Conservation in East Africa’s Virunga Landscape

Edwin Sabuhoro (), Brett A. Wright, Ian E. Munanura, Peter Mkumbo, Katie P. Bernhard and John T. Mgonja
Additional contact information
Edwin Sabuhoro: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management and African Studies, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
Brett A. Wright: Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Ian E. Munanura: Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Peter Mkumbo: School of Community Resources and Development, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Hainan Campus, Arizona State University, 58 Rebmin Avenue, Haikou 570208, China
Katie P. Bernhard: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
John T. Mgonja: Department of Tourism and Recreation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3000, Tanzania

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Illegal activities pose challenges to the conservation of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) across the Virunga Landscape (VL). This paper investigates the relationship between household livelihood security (HLS) and the perceived prevalence of illegal activities across the VL. Results from a survey of 223 residents of areas adjacent to the VL in Uganda and Rwanda reveal varied links between human livelihoods and illegal activities threatening wildlife. For example, while poaching appears to be negatively associated with health and financial security among residents, it is positively associated with education security, indicating that education may be contributing to illegal activities threatening wildlife. Food security constraints were also found to be significantly associated with poaching. Finally, findings suggest that although HLS investments are essential in improving local community livelihoods, only food and financial security are the most effective means of reducing illegal activities in Virunga.

Keywords: protected areas; conservation; livelihoods; illegal activities; parks; transboundary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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