IUCN Study Pinpoints Most Effective Conservation Approaches Across Africa
A new case study published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies which conservation approaches deliver the strongest results for Africa's wildlife, drawing on evidence from 91 projects across 31 African countries. The report - the second in a series examining the IUCN Save Our Species African Wildlife Initiative (SOS AWI) - assessed species-focused, habitat-based and community livelihood interventions implemented between 2017 and 2025, with funding of more than €10.8 million channelled through the EU-supported programme.
The findings show that direct threat interventions, such as anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care and livestock protection measures, produced the fastest and most measurable outcomes, while habitat restoration and community engagement proved essential for long-term success. Over the programme's eight-year lifespan, anti-poaching efforts removed more than 4,800 snares and covered over 260,000 kilometres, while projects restored nearly 989,400 hectares of habitat and trained more than 44,000 people. Crucially, the study found that integrated approaches combining species protection, habitat management and community involvement consistently outperformed single-intervention strategies - a finding with direct relevance for funders, governments and conservation organisations working to halt biodiversity loss across the continent.
Source: IUCN News
