Protected area conservation strategy (PARCS) : training needs and opportunities among protected area managers in eastern, central, and southern Africa

Results show that the jobs of protected area managers are highly complex, requiring them to simultaneously interact with and manage the rights of indigenous populations and their surrounding communities, and to manage tourist traffic and revenue. Many protected area managers have little confidence in their skills related to policies and procedures, planning, finance and accounting, problem-solving, and emerging areas such as community conservation and tourist services. Surprisingly, many are not even comfortable with their ability to perform basic wildlife management interventions. Traditional training institutions and programs have been slow and limited in their ability to adapt curricula to evolving needs and are ill-equipped to meet the training needs of protected area managers. However, the two leading such institutions, the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka and the Ecole des Specialistes de la Faune in Garoua, seem poised to revamp their programs. In addition, moves are underway in many African countries to train professionals at universities, newer national training institutions, and in South Africa (although other good training resources, such as local industries, other government departments, and local experts, remain untapped). Recommendations are made on these findings. A lengthy annex comprising one-half of the report is devoted to the assessment methodology. During its next phase, PARCS will help protected area authorities to develop training plans and innovative training techniques that address the expressed needs of protected area managers.