Drawing on local wisdom

“Iona National Park is composed not only of the rich biodiversity but also diverse ethnic groups which hold a very rich tradition and culture that is worth preserving for future generations,” explains Victor Agostinho, Community Assistant Manager for Iona National Park in Angola. With an estimated 6,000 people (including members of the Himba tribe, shown in this video) living in and around the national park, community engagement is vital to the success of conservation initiatives. With their intimate relationship to the landscape, local pastoralists make especially effective wildlife monitors. Their knowledge also enables the growth of sustainable ecotourism in Iona, while preserving the enduring human heritage of this protected area. Watch the video to learn more.