Kilimanjaro Lion Conservation Project

Category: General | Date: Jun 23 2008 | By: Seamus

The cryptic title of this post is a reference to comments on my last post that generated some discussion.

First of all, I noticed two pingbacks to this post. They look like auto-generated links, but nevertheless their presence is significant: obviously something in this discussion of conservation, tourism, lions and media triggers some response from “the internet”. Interestingly most of my regular readers also felt they had something to say.

It should be mentioned that KD has donated 50 dollars. This is great news, and hopefully a portent of things to come. Thanks KD. So far you are the most significant donor to this blog [and now we go to a short advertisement break] - Folks, if you find what we write and discuss here interesting, or if you would like lions to be conserved in maasailand, or if you liked some of the photos on this blog, or if you just love animals / africa / James heriot / Gerald Durrel / dangerous furry animals / Darwin / Dawkins / Steve Irwin / God’s creation / teachings of the Dalai Lama I hope you will be inspired to support an indigenous african (aka me) doing conservation in the field, outside governmentally protected areas. Its important work. [infommercial over now]

Wim, your input has a habit of cutting to the chase. This was no exception. Wim makes the important distinction between journalism and media coverage with an agenda or purpose (be that overt as in advertisements, or subtle, as with infommercials). In private email conversation with one of the readers of this blog who is a film freelancer, this person pointed towards the same distinction that Wim makes: media is not a fundrasing tool in itself, or at least, good journalism shouldn’t be. My correspondent said this in an a recent email:

“I think everyone has to be fairly realistic about the power of the press. It is there as a witness — so nothing is untold…”

And further to the subject of blogging generally for conservation research, a comment from a fellow scientist:

“…this whole media thing is such a waste of time.”

To a certain extent I agree with both of my correspondents. But, (to badly paraphrase some politician whose name I don’t know), the world is made up of shades of grey, not black and white. With the suggestions from Wim, insight from correspondent 1 and healthy cynicism from D, W and L I think I will continue to use media to futher my objectives. I’m not sure that there is all that much “sound, balanced and truthful” (from Bertie’s comment) reporting on wildlife conservation, but I can give it a try here on this blog..

I like one of Wim’s responses to all this, so I’m pasting his / her comment here to close off with:

When I’m the absolutely final ever tourist to visit Kenya,
my own endangered species,
Last of the Tourist Mohicans,
Gawping, bleary-eyed and nonplussed at the sedated Hyrax and single juvenile Vervet peeling a satsuma
which will then comprise the total wildlife population “success” of the Maasai Mara.
I just know
I’ll look up to see,
tapping their feet and tutting with impatience,
three not terribly competent conservationists,
resenting my presence.

(One of the adult females from Nempakai’s pride)

Whatever cats you may have at home, whatever your morning paper is, have a good day. Signing off from southern maasailand…

Technorati : conservation, lions, media, obscure culturally specific metaphors, ostriches, wagging the dog

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