Stakeholder engagement and participation

Program personnel visited villages in areas considered at-risk for Ebola virus outbreaks. This engagement helped to identify community interest in contributing to animal mortality reporting and assess the potential role of hunters in the network. While researchers and ecoguards initially provided some reports of carcasses, the majority of reports were ultimately received from hunters, allowing for more focused engagement of this demographic group. In addition to reporting, outreach was conducted to reach hunters and communities in several ways to support awareness of risk reduction strategies. For example, in the Étoumbi region, the Field Veterinary Program provided outreach education on Ebola and livestock husbandry to the Étoumbi Hunters’ Association, as well as hunters and other villagers of Mbomo and Kellé. Communities around national parks (Nouabalé-Ndoki and Odzala-Kokoua) were engaged, and visual posters and books were also provided to a village nurse for further dissemination.

  • Long-term efforts in the region fostered trusted relationships with the community that likely facilitated successful engagement and participation. 
  • Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of local stakeholders, including food security and cultural traditions, promoted practical solutions that supported buy-in and uptake.
  • The reporting process established clear channels for information flow, minimizing the burden for community participants providing reports while ensuring information was communicated from local to national levels.

This program was initiated in 2005. There may be updated regulations regarding hunting and other subsistence or commercial use of wildlife in the region that could affect practices, and additional technologies (e.g. vaccination) are now available that could change the management strategies for humans and potentially wild animals in the event of Ebola virus or other disease detection. However, the program reinforces the utility of locally-relevant approaches and solutions, as well as the role of involving stakeholders that may be perceived as far outside of the conservation or public health sectors. In this case, hunters and community members living in Sangha district were among those at greatest risk of exposure to infection from handling carcasses, making their awareness and engagement in risk reduction practices critically important. Given the importance of food security and cultural traditions, top-down approaches were and likely still are unlikely to be effective, instead requiring stakeholder engagement and locally-accepted solutions.

Early warning system

Components of the system involved mortality reporting by hunters and community members, investigation of reports by veterinarians trained on specimen collection and handling protocols, specimen transport to national laboratories, and laboratory screening for disease diagnostics. Each of these involved specialized inputs, but the coordination between entities created the system. Information management and communication were conducted throughout the process. A Carcass Data Collection and Reporting Protocol was integral to the process, ensuring consistent reporting.

  • A local team, supported by a global program, ensured continuity of the broader Animal Mortality Monitoring Network and technical expertise to develop and implement disease investigation protocols
  • Full integration and support of Congolese government officials from multiple ministries helped prioritize the animal-human link for public health and conservation outcomes
  • Availability of functional national and international laboratories and the ability to move specimens rapidly, including from remote areas, supported diagnostics in endangered species

In this setting, hunters and some community members were the key eyes on the ground for wild animal mortality detection, having some of the only human presence in forest areas where carcasses may degrade rapidly, providing a limited window for detection and investigation. While the overall Animal Mortality Monitoring Network included a broader scope of reporting, only reports meeting certain criteria (such as being a great ape species, the extent of carcass degradation, and other factors) prompted disease investigation, keeping the scale of the program feasible and cost-effective. Unfortunately, despite its demonstrated value, sentinel detection in wild animals is not routinely a formal part of public and animal health surveillance in many parts of the world, missing a critical source of potential information that could promote early warning for disease threats in humans and other species. Training was also an important component of the project, including on biosafety protocols for safe disease investigation and diagnostic screening.

Networking and Capacity Building of Volunteers for Dugong Rescue and Release (Since 2016)

OMCAR signed MoU with government institutions (Wild Life Institute of India and Sacon) to work with other stakeholders efficiently and quickly respond to the dugong rescue and release in Palk Bay. With the partnership of Tamil Nadu Forest Department and Wild Life Institute of India, OMCAR established “Friends of Dugongs” in every fisher village in northern Palk Bay. The volunteers were trained to respond to a dugong strandings, and how to organise rescue and release with forest department. The volunteers have been actively supporting to share the information about dugong sightings, rescued and released dugongs in the past six years. As a result, several dugongs have been rescued and released in Palk Bay, and fishers received rewards and honoured by government. OMCAR published its stranded marine mammals record in a scientific journal, which helped as evidence for the need for the establishment of conservation reserve. 

  • The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Government institutions helped to build a strong partnership.

 

  • The capacity building of volunteers from the fishing community enabled the successful rescue and release of dugongs from fishing nets.

 

  • Recognition and rewards received by fishermen, who rescued and released the dugongs created a positive encouragement.  

 

  • Publication of dugong strandings supported the establishment of a dugong conservation reserve in Palk Bay.
  • Grassroot conservation needs cooperation and mutual support from the government, NGOs, the public, and research institutions.

 

  • Immediate response for the stranded dugongs, rescue, and release work with the participation of volunteers from coastal villages was possible through social media networking.  

 

  • Encouraging the community volunteers helped to enhance the dugong conservation further.

 

  • Scientific publications and documentation are important for NGOs working in grassroots conservation. 

 

Developing Participatory, Eco-friendly and Low-cost Seagrass restoration method (2016 - 2022)

Restoration of seagrass beds is different from the restoration of terrestrial plants, as it needs to work underwater ecosystem. Seagrasses reproduce through sexual reproduction and vegetative reproduction. In seagrass restoration, the seagrass sprigs were removed from the donor site and transplanted to degraded sites. There were already established methods obtained from scientific publications using 1m2 PVC frames for transplanting seagrasses. Although this method is successful, we determined not to use the PVC plastics that need to be permanently fixed on the seafloor for seagrass restoration. So, OMCAR discussed with local fishers to develop an eco-friendly, low-cost method for seagrass restoration. For the first time in India, we used bamboo frames and coconut rope frames as an eco-friendly frames for fixing the transplanted seagrass sprigs from healthy sites to degraded sites. Local fishers were trained and involved in the seagrass restoration work. As both bamboo and coir ropes are available locally, they are cost-effective, and they can be presently fixed on the seafloor until they get degraded naturally. This method is now being adapted and replicated by the government for seagrass restoration in other areas of Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar. 

  • The participatory seagrass restoration procedure is the key strength of this method, which is developed by OMCAR with the consultation of fisherfolks.
  • Bamboo and coconut coir ropes are degradable, so they will not pollute the sea like PVC frames.
  • Bamboo and Coconut coir ropes are locally available, so they are low-cost to be used in large-scale participatory seagrass restoration.
  • The results of this project have been published in a scientific journal.

 

  • Eco-friendly restoration method ensures the sustainability and recognition of the government.

 

  • Participation of the local community in seagrass restoration methods increases their sense of responsibility.

 

  • Locally available raw materials reduce the cost of the restoration accessories while reducing the use of plastics.

 

Participatory Survey for Mapping Seagrass Beds in northern Palk Bay (2010 - 2017)

Before this survey, there was no accurate scientific data available about the extension of seagrass beds in northern Palk Bay. The preparation started in 2010, and the actual survey started in 2013 and was published in 2018. We had to come across issues related to funding, logistics, and how to build technical knowledge within our organization. Due to poor water quality, it was difficult to map the seagrass beds using satellite imagery. So, OMCAR built a survey boat (a modified fishing boat), developed skills in GIS and acoustic methods, and scuba equipment from 2010 to 2013. With the funding from NRDMS, DST, Government of India – OMCAR started to conduct the acoustic survey in shallow nearshore waters in northern Palk Bay for proposing the site as a conservation reserve.  This was the first such attempt to survey the seagrass beds using acoustic technology in India. The final reports were submitted to Government and also published in 2018. This baseline survey revealed the distribution of seagrass beds in the ‘dugong conservation reserve’ up to 35,000 hectares of northern Palk Bay, so 500 square kilometers area in and around this seagrass bed has been selected to be declared as a” Dugong Conservation Reserve” based on this research by Government. 

Our team consists of a marine biologist (founder of OMCAR), staff, and volunteers from the local community. This enabled us to plan for the seagrass survey methods using both scientific and traditional knowledge. 
Low-cost navigational devices were assembled for this survey to navigate the boat perpendicular to the coast along the transects. 
Local fishers who attended our capacity building training have helped with their traditional knowledge for planning suitable months and time to carry out the seagrass survey.

  • Seagrass acoustic survey can provide accurate, local-based information about the distribution of seagrass meadows for conservation planning.  
  • Local people's participation and support are important, which will help for the safety of the survey crew, and the selection of suitable months and time for the survey.
  • As the results are important as evidence to prove the total area of seagrass beds for declaring the protected site, technical knowledge, and dedicated staff are essential. 
  • Training and capacity building of local volunteers from the fishing community is important for participatory seagrass surveys.

 

Wildlife disease surveillance at key interfaces

Wildlife disease surveillance in bats, rodents and non-human primates, was conducted in key interfaces where wildlife was most likely to interact (directly or indirectly) with livestock or humans. In Bolivia, key interfaces between wildlife and domestic animals and people included subsistence hunting by indigenous communities, captive wildlife settings (rescue centers and sanctuaries), peri-domestic settings (in and around human dwellings or fields), wildlife trade, extractive industries and livestock production areas. Additionally, wildlife disease surveillance was conducted in remote protected areas for comparison purposes, as well as during zoonotic disease outbreaks in people. By targeting healthy free-ranging wildlife and stressed or sick wildlife, we aimed to increase the possibilities of detecting known and novel viruses likely to impact human health and affect wildlife conservation.

To cover the different wildlife-human interphases identified, collaboration of trained stakeholders on wildlife diseases surveillance was fundamental. In some indigenous territories, sanctuaries and wildlife rescue centers, trainees collected wildlife samples and surveillance data as part of their rutinary activities. It was trained staff from a wildlife sanctuary, who detected and immediately notified a howler monkey mortality event, resulting in a prompt and efficient response when the mortality event occurred, preventing a spillover to the human population.

Prioritizing key interfaces where spillover could occur when carrying out disease surveillance creates the highest return on lowered risk. While surveillance cannot occur in every corner of a forest ecosystem, the areas in which humans could interact with wildlife inherently have the highest risk. By targeting surveillance efforts risk managers can capture the most pertinent information and create the most effective early warning systems. With proper surveillance systems in place, the Howler monkey mortality event was rapidly identified and the appropriate notification system was enacted.

Training on wildlife disease surveillance tools

Key stakeholders (including government personnel from public health, veterinary and biodiversity services; wildlife rescue centers staff; field veterinarians; biologists; laboratory technicians; and inhabitants of indigenous communities), were trained to survey for zoonotic disease spillover risk using the USAID PREDICT surveillance protocols. Training covered diverse topics including biosafety and PPE use, animal capture, sampling methods for various species of animals, data collection, sample packing and shipment, emergency preparedness, early warning systems, and safe laboratory operations. Woven into all training on surveillance tools was the emphasis on clear communication channels. All stakeholders were made aware of the specific agencies and individuals to liaise with regarding wildlife disease risk, so that the appropriate parties can be notified in a timely and effective manner.

In Bolivia, English is little spoken by public servers and community members, thus, having local trainers providing training in Spanish was fundamental to facilitate the learning process. Applying a One Health lens to the training broadened the surveillance system to include stakeholders that had not been a part of the process previously. This more inclusive approach from the early point of training resulted in an effective disease surveillance system.

In countries where education and actualization possibilities are limited, especially on novel topics such as wildlife health and surveillance, providing training possibilities to different stakeholders was a good strategy to generate local human capacities and awareness, while engaging people from different sectors and geographic areas to help on wildlife diseases surveillance. Following these trainings, the appropriate stakeholders were empowered with an understanding of what to do when wildlife is experiencing a disease event, who should take samples, the safety methods to implement, and the proper channels of communication. By implementing multi-disciplinary, inter-sectorial and inter-institutional trainings, dialogue, good communication and long-term collaborations among the diverse project´s partners from different sectors were facilitated, while the inclusion of the public health sector enabled the quick and efficient response to prevent a spillover event during the yellow fever epizooty detected on howler monkeys.

Facilitate intersectoral cooperation

This building block involved facilitating dialogues between previously siloed actors: government agencies, research, local people, etc. When the gaps between sectors are addressed before solution implementation, diverse voices and opinions can be considered and the solutions developed are often more readily implemented and accepted.  

All actors need to be open to collaboration, feedback, and input from sectors they may not have considered relevant to past projects.

Having a leading organization (the Wildlife Conservation Society in Bolivia) with a long history of work in the country, with a well based experience and good institutional relationships established, was crucial to facilitate the rapid implementation and good development of the PREDICT project activities. During the time that PREDICT was working in Bolivia (from 2010 to 2013), efforts were done to facilitate the establish a national Zoonoses Surveillance Plan where the Ministry of Health, the National Veterinary Service and the General Directorate of Biodiversity could ensure a permanent and sustainable collaboration among sectors to prevent zoonotic diseases in the country. Unfortunately, this goal couldn´t be accomplished in the project period, nevertheless, the basis for such collaborative framework were established and many inter-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations to investigate further non-human primates yellow fever events and rodent-borne diseases, took place in the following years as a result.

Community partnership programme

The main threats to the park emanate from the combination of a lack of a true buffer zone and widespread poverty surrounding the park. VNP’s Community Partnership Programme has therefore identified priorities as mitigating crop damage caused by wild animals and establishing new livelihoods for communities. 862 community members organized in cooperatives are involved in park conservation activities and tourism. 262 porters benefit as temporary staff, who earn between $12 to $25 per day to carry visitors' belongings during gorilla viewing and hiking.

As a means of reducing forest resources dependence, we have provided alternative income generating activities, through the establishment of fuel wood plantations and fuel efficient stove adoption, support for developing bamboo propagation and processing outside the park, and support for rainwater harvesting systems. We also developed alternative agriculture options such as identifying crops that are economically viable but not targeted by wildlife crop-raiding.

In 2007, a 1-meter-high stone buffalo wall was completed that spans the entire 76km border of VNPto reduce crop damage by wild animals by Rwanda Development board. We encourage the local community to constantly maintain it.

One of the factors which enabled us is to connect with local communities and train them on different tourism jobs available like being porters, community guides and involve them in the cooperative ownership meaning that we involve them in decision making for all the issues affecting the cooperatives and ensure they create partnerships with other locals whom wish to be part of the programs and teaching them new marketing strategies for new cultural tourism products we develop.

Locals became aware of the different aspects of learning new technologies which we train them on conservation and they become decisive on any issue concerning the administration of the cooperatives and they learn on how to develop any new cultural tourism product we develop.

Rwanda Tourism Revenue Sharing (TRS) program

The Tourism Revenue Sharing (TRS) program was introduced by the Rwanda Development Board with the aim to share a percentage of the total tourism park revenues with the communities living around.

The TRS is one of the most progressive and successful community programmes. The goal of revenue sharing is to reduce illegal activities in the park and improve the living conditions of the communities by providing alternatives to park resources and compensation to farmers for the loss of productivity due to wildlife crop raiding. Between 2005 and 2010, $536,665 went to community projects through the revenue sharing programme. In May 2017, revenue sharing was increased from 5% to 10% of gross tourism revenues earned by our Rwanda Development board.

The main focus of spending has been on infrastructure such as schools, water tanks, health centres and sanitation. 

Red Rocks Initiative took the opportunity of the TSR funding to establish Community cooperatives. We embarked on intensive training and skilling on making a lot of art and handicraft products, depicting rich diverse Rwanda Culture, Agro-business, Youth Talent. At the end, even those who used to poach understand the benefits of tourism.

We focused on the assets, skills and resources that are within the community’s control, and how new tourism activities will fit into the mix. Coffee farms have become tourism products themselves, catering for tourists taking part in agricultural experiences and providing additional income. We also complimented existing livelihood strategies with tourism to allow communities to retain our local traditions. This way, they feel empowered by improving their well-being and involving in cultural tourism activities.

The local community learned the benefit of preserving the park since they earned from the tourism business which was flourishing in Rwanda. Ever since the infrastructures were developed, the local community felt the urge to make sure that the park and the animals within the park are largely protected.