Activist scientists become advocates as time runs out

Photo: US Fish & Wildlife

While researching my new book, The Jaguar’s Shadow: Searching for a Mythic Cat, I spent a day interviewing a pair of prominent zoologists in the jungle of northern Belize. They surprised me by stating forthrightly their belief that today’s field scientists have a responsibility—more than that, a duty—to commit themselves to social and political actions related to conservation of the animals they study.

“We simply cannot wait for members of society to change their behavior or for politicians to pass laws,” suggested one of these researchers, who did not wish to be named within this context. “If we are concerned about the welfare of a particularly vulnerable species, we must take action in what is really a race against time.”

Practicing pure and detached scientific observation, in other words, is not enough. Turning a blind eye toward such human-originated threats as deforestation and poaching, such thinking goes, is inappropriate when expert knowledge may help a population of animals survive.

As I traveled from country to country, I marveled at how researchers acted creatively and assertively to contribute solutions to wildlife problems. A biologist at the Belize Zoo, for example, worked with her nation’s government officials, farmers, and ranchers to implement a program whereby jaguars preying on livestock would be trapped and rehabilitated for display and breeding purposes in U.S. zoos. In the Sierra Madre of Mexico, I met scientists who were paying cowboys and landowners $500 for each photo they produced of a live jaguar, thereby ensuring that these people could earn more money by saving such big cats rather than killing them. Meanwhile, from Brazil’s Pantanal, word filtered to me about a group of researchers who had arranged free medical services for cattle growers in return for a cease-fire in the ranchers’ war against big cats.

The list goes on, and includes alliances between scientists and a wide range of interest groups: environmental organizations, tribal leaders, shamans, mayors, school teachers, tourists, students, health care workers, regional bureaucrats, and even drug smugglers. It appears the watchword in some sectors of conservation is collaboration, not confrontation.

Obviously, it is still necessary to apply public pressure and the force of law where appropriate. Yet, as the promise of a new year draws near, I feel hopeful that with field researchers bringing their fresh ideas and objective data into the mix, our threatened and endangered wildlife will enjoy more realistic chances for not only survival, but restoration, among human communities throughout their range.