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ecosystems, and is endangered in some cases. An example is the se- 

 verely endangered status of the black rhinos. Several factors have 

 contributed to this situation, including severe economic stagnation; 

 human population growth; low agricultural productivity leading to 

 overuse of marginal land; poor development of human resources 

 and weak institutions; and frequent droughts throughout the con- 

 tinent. 



Of all of the contributing factors, poverty is probablv the major 

 constraint to conservation in Africa and its ecological health. Eco- 

 nomic underdevelopment leads to poverty, which in turn leads to 

 unsustainable use of resources. Most African countries remain 

 below the poverty line, according to the United Nations. 



In other to provide even the bare minimum for their people, 

 many African governments are exploiting their natural resources, 

 in the form of logging, collection of nontimber plant products, fish- 

 ing and wildlife in an unsustainable manner in order to mitigate 

 the devastating human suffering. 



Having said this. Madam Chairperson, in recent years, conserva- 

 tionists within Africa and other parts of the world have developed 

 a new kind of conservation that has brought a sense of optimism. 

 This shift in conservation philosophy has brought the realization 

 that conservation and economic development cannot be separated. 

 Protection of the environment must be balanced with the develop- 

 ment needs of the people. 



World Wildlife Fund has projects in Africa that now exemplify 

 this philosophy. The projects include Living in a Finite Environ- 

 ment in Namibia. 



In the use of national resources, we have learned that environ- 

 mental disruption is an avoidable consequence. World Wildlife 

 Fund, together with African communities all over the continent, 

 seek to minimize disruption to the functioning of ecological sys- 

 tems. 



Madam Chairperson, it is not too late to save Africa's ecological 

 integritv from threats of poverty and the hardships that follow pov- 

 erty. Anica still has vast areas of territory with little or no human 

 presence. The system of parks and protected areas in many coun- 

 tries, while not complete, is well developed. Although the levels of 

 public awareness and understanding of the consequences of envi- 

 ronmental degradation are low, they are improving, and many 

 countries have made significant steps toward passing laws that 

 protect the environment. 



With the advent of democratic governments in many parts of the 

 continent, many countries are addressing their economic problems, 

 and there are systems of checks and balances emerging. 



While these are important elements, Africa will continue to seek 

 assistance from the developed world. The United States has an im- 

 portant role in this respect as a leader in both development assist- 

 ance and protection of the world environment. 



Madam Chairperson, it is worth noting that several wildlife spe- 

 cies which were endangered a few years ago, including the leopard, 

 the Nile crocodile, and even the mountain gorilla, appear to be 

 making a strong comeback due to conservation efforts on their be- 

 half, and indigenous grassroots conservation initiatives. The recov- 

 ery of these species demonstrate the fact that Africa's ecological fu- 



