|
________________
CM . . . .
Volume VI Number 21 . . . . June 23, 2000
This video is unlike many of the others in the series. It illustrates what can only be considered a
triumph of conservation. Clark Lungren, the son of Canadian missionaries, spent his childhood in
West Africa. He returned to Burkino Faso in 1974, a land-locked country suffering from constant
drought, poaching and government apathy. He had a plan.
The result of his work is the Nazinga Game Reserve, 18,002 square miles a stone's throw from
the Ghana border. The area had a high wildlife population in the 1950s, but it had been hunted
almost to the point of no return. After a U.N. development officer told him that wildlife was
"history," Clark received the blessing of the local government to start a new reserve. He entered
into an agreement with locals: they would help him build water holes, and, when the animal
populations increased, they would be allowed to hunt an agreed amount. Eventually, 250 miles of
new waterways were built in a land where even humans need two gallons of water a day to
survive. Anti-poaching patrols were also added. Traps were collected, and game wardens were
added to the area. After 10 years, the animal population increased tenfold.
Students will enjoy the many kinds of species featured in this video. It would be an incredibly
positive example for any class studying ecosystems, conservation, or even about the positive
effect humans can have, occasionally, on the environment.
Highly Recommended.
Betsy Fraser is a librarian with Calgary Public Library.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
Published by
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - June 23, 2000.
AUTHORS |
TITLES |
MEDIA REVIEWS |
PROFILES |
BACK ISSUES |
SEARCH |
ORDER |
CMARCHIVE |
HOME
|
