1. HIV/AIDS and Conservation Capacity: Impacts and Coping Strategies Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, July Judy Oglethorpe, WWF Nancy Gelman, Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group

2. Adults And Children Estimated To Be Living With HIV/AIDS, End 2004

4. Impacts on Conservation Capacity
loss of capacity in conservation organizations
loss of community capacity for land and natural resource management

5. Loss of Conservation Staff
KwaZulu Natal Wildlife lost 9% of its 3000 staff
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi lost 7 of its 50 staff
a fire awareness program in Southern Africa lost 10 out of 12 extensionists

6. Vulnerability of Conservation Sector
protected area staff posted to remote areas away from families
drivers and community workers frequently away from home, visiting different areas
law enforcement officers may use undue influence over local women
rotation of law enforcement staff

7. Impacts on Conservation Organizations
loss of productivity – reduced conservation success (e.g. law enforcement, policy, research, education, tourism, community work)
loss of institutional memory
threat to conservation partnerships
loss of training investment
increased financial burden

8. Financial Costs of AIDS
Medical expenses
Sick leave
Terminal benefits
Funeral expenses
Extra salary costs if recruiting replacement staff
Training of replacement staff
potential loss of tourism revenue

9. Loss of Community Capacity
Loss of community champions
Loss of social structures for resource management
Loss of indigenous knowledge
Loss of time for conservation (more time spent nursing the sick and meeting basic needs – especially for women)

10. Agriculture and Natural Resources
AIDS results in increased consumption of timber and medicinal plants.
Changes in livelihood strategies result in:
more extensive farming
increased use of fire
increased use of natural resources

11. Longer Term Impacts
Resource and environmental degradation
Increased poverty
Insecurity

12. HIV/AIDS is Our Problem
The health sector is not addressing the AIDS/conservation linkage
a multi-sectoral approach is needed
the conservation community needs to take action

13. Maintain Conservation Capacity
Develop HIV/AIDS institutional policies
Promote awareness, VCT and wellness programs
Overcome stigma and discrimination
Reduce remoteness of staff from families
Consider providing ARV drugs for staff
Integrate HIV/AIDS in planning and fundraising
Partner with other sectors to find solutions

14. KwaZulu Natal Wildlife’s Policy
Providing HIV/AIDS awareness and wellness program for staff
Providing incentives for employees to seek HIV/AIDS testing
Transitioning infected staff to easier duties
Negotiated with retirement funds to remove exclusion clauses about HIV/AIDS
Partnered with local clinics for employee care

15. Modify Training Programs
train more people on shorter courses, broadening their skill base
incorporate HIV/AIDS in conservation curricula and college policies
reduce separation of staff from families (e.g. distance learning)
provide pre-departure HIV/AIDS awareness for those going away for training
mentor junior staff who take over senior jobs

16. Maintain Community Capacity
Integrate HIV/AIDS into community conservation programs (with health partners):
promote HIV/AIDS awareness
promote VCT and treatment where possible
document/foster indigenous knowledge
mentor youth in natural resource management
encourage education
integrate HIV/AIDS work with family planning as appropriate

18. Help Community Livelihoods
Promote sustainable livelihoods through sound resource/land use with low labor inputs
Promote labor-saving agriculture
Promote sustainable enterprises
Establish grant funds for communities’ relief efforts

19. Where Does This Work Best?
in countries with strong HIV/AIDS policies early on (e.g. Brazil, Thailand)
where good health services and partners are available
where stigma and discrimination are overcome
where there are strong peer champions
where action is taken early (opportunity for next wave countries)

21. For more information on HIV/AIDS & Conservation: www.abcg.org
Contact:
Special thanks to USAID, WWF, and Daulos Mauambeta for use of their photos
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Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group member organizations: