Conservation begins with good neighbors.

• Position: Wildlife

Understanding local human cultures is key to preserving gorillas, elephants, and other wildlife in African parks and reserves, according to research from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. "Conservation efforts and the management of protected areas are often designed with the best intentions, but sometimes supporting scientific data is missing, or incorrect assumptions are made about a local culture or even the outsiders or trade that plays a role in the area," contends Melissa Remis, a professor of anthropology who specializes in the study of gorillas.

"Conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife; you also need to consider the human dimension--such as how focal hunting technologies or even migration can change the way land is used."

Remis and Rebecca Hardin, an associate professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources, focus on issues specific to animal species: forest fragmentation; ecotourism; local culture; and industry in the Central African Republic. The forest is known for western lowland gorillas and a clearing that attracts up to 100 elephants at a time. The reserve is a multi-use zone that was created in 1991 and includes areas designated for research, tourism, hunting, and logging. Bayanga is the local town with a population of 5,000.

Local communities may see wildlife like elephants as a problem if they damage their crops. Other groups may resent saving local wildlife when they are struggling to feed their families and could use the...