ABSTRACT
The war and genocide that swept through Rwanda and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has severely disrupted conservation activities there. However, those conservation organizations that have stayed in the region have been able to achieve a considerable amount. During 1998, I carried out a survey of staff from two conservation projects in Rwanda to determine what had motivated them to carry on working despite the loss of all senior staff, the suspension of regular salaries, and threats to their lives. The two projects were the Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Karisoke Research Center supported by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Staff at both sites felt that continuing to work had increased the risk to their lives. The factors that motivated staff to continue working included their expectation of future payment of salaries, the dedication of conservation organizations to supporting the 72sites, and the dedication of senior field staff who were forced to flee. Notably, field staff continued working because they felt that they were protecting an important part of their natural heritage, and they believed their work was important for their country. The survey also asked staff what the conservation organizations could do better in future war situations. One of the major lessons learned from the study was the important role that junior staff members play in holding such projects together during armed crisis. Most conservation organizations focus on training the senior staff but do not create a career structure for the junior staff. This finding has led WCS to plan more training and give more responsibilities to junior staff members. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <https://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
