Selected Careers in Conservation

Hasabwamariya Enathe - Rwanda

Rwanda has a lot of great biodiversity. After secondary school, I lived near Nyungwe Forest National Park. I could hear and see primates, birds, and other great species at the edge of the park and fell in love with them. Because local people were forbidden to enter the forest when it became a protected area, a lot of negative stories about wild animals, and conflicts between the communities and park management developed. I wanted to help my country to live in harmony with its beautiful biodiversity. This is what inspired and motivated me.

I chose to study Zoology and Conservation because of my own curiosity and interest in animal behaviours, but especially wanting to know how to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and it concerned me that people didn’t know about or were not interested in conservation, even though it is a main source of income from tourism. Also, as a woman, I wanted to change the view on how men in Africa see us.

I graduated from university wanting to be a professor of primatology. I volunteered a lot and got study placements, and that helped me get work on chimpanzee and gorilla conservation projects. I joined a youth environmental group that got environmental issues into the media. This allowed me to travel and participate in several important international conferences.

Then I did a masters degree.

I am evidence that people can make a career in conservation if they want to. I didn’t have parents around to help me, I progressed by determination, connecting with people and seeking out opportunities. I didn’t become a professor, maybe I still will, but for now I love the job I have. I work at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, as a natural heritage expert, and focal point for East and Southern Africa. My main job is to assist countries in the protection and preservation of their natural and cultural heritage. What I love most about my work is that I interact and work with global leaders, helping to solve problems affecting our natural and cultural World heritage sites, and I learn a lot.”

Peter Magosvongwe - Zimbabwe

Peter has made his own independent career in conservation. He teaches for local schools and is a popular tourist guide, especially for bird watchers.

“Our area has a lot of birds, many don’t live anywhere else. I became interested in nature growing up, I learned it from my neighbours. I started to get interested in conservation and joined Birdlife Zimbabwe in 1998 after seeing that other people in our community were not aware of the importance of birds and nature conservation and its benefits.”

Locally, birds are good indicators of weather, they give warning signs in advance of storms which allows you to prepare in time. This is one fascinating side of birds. In our area Vumba, the Swynerton’s Robin is my favourite. It is endemic, and it brings in foreign currency through birders who flock from so many countries, coming to Zimbabwe just to see it.

I gained the knowledge that I have from different birding experts, and from experienced conservationists that I have spent time with. I have done a lot with Birdlife Zimbabwe staff - conservation awareness in schools and my community. This work brought me an award. My work primarily is to teach eco clubs school kids about the environment, flora and fauna, from primary up to secondary level. I also conduct guided tours for tourists in the Vumba as well.

What I like most is teaching the young generation to understand and enjoy nature. I take eco clubs for walks to Botanical reserves, national parks and other recreational areas where I teach about tree conservation, birdlife, butterflies, wild animals, water, pollution and wildlife conservation.”