How One Biologist Revived Burkina Faso’s Wildlife by Trusting Locals

Doubted by experts, Clark Lungren’s unorthodox plan turned poachers into protectors. Decades later, elephants roam free—and communities thrive.

, and Administrator

2025 December 29 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

There are plants, fencing, grass, people, poles, white building and trees.

How One Biologist Revived Burkina Faso’s Wildlife by Trusting Locals

An unconventional environmental conservation strategy in southern Burkina Faso transformed a struggling game reserve into a thriving ecosystem. Clark Lungren, an American wildlife biologist, led the effort by empowering local communities rather than relying on traditional top-down methods. His approach, once dismissed as unrealistic, brought elephants and other wildlife back from decline while improving local livelihoods.

Lungren arrived in Burkina Faso in the 1970s, focusing on the Nazinga Reserve. Unlike many experts, he lacked formal credentials but earned trust through fluency in local languages and deep understanding of village politics. His method was simple: let communities keep hunting rights if they protected wildlife and habitat.

Many specialists doubted the plan would work. Yet Lungren proved them wrong by setting up a demonstration farm at Wedbila. There, he showed how sustainable wildlife management could support incomes without damaging ecosystems.

At Nazinga, the results were striking. Wildlife populations, including elephants, rebounded sharply. Tourism grew as visitors returned to see the thriving animals. Even former poachers found new roles as wardens and guides, helping to safeguard the reserve.

Lungren’s influence extended beyond Nazinga. He pushed for giving local communities control over land and wildlife, arguing that environmental conservation worked best when tied to their needs. His approach remained in place long after his death in September 2025 at the age of 74.

The Nazinga Reserve now stands as a testament to Lungren’s vision. Wildlife numbers have recovered, and local people continue to benefit from sustainable management. The model he created remains active, proving that community-led environmental conservation can succeed where traditional methods fail.