Behaviour Change

Threats to ecosystems and the species with which we work are often connected to the activities of people living nearby.

In many cases, this is due to everyday practices that help people meet their basic needs or earn a living, so it is important we understand the contexts in which these behaviours occur before trying to change them. Sometimes we might want to discourage or change certain behaviours that are harmful, or we rely on the help of local people to help prevent illegal activities such as poaching. Our research in Madagascar and India is combined with practical initiatives on the ground to promote behaviour change while remaining sensitive to community wellbeing.

What we're doing to help

Herb collecting in Assam

In the grasslands of Manas National Park in Assam, northern India, many local people are on the lookout for the small leafy plant premna herbacea, which is used to treat a range of illnesses and sold at markets nearby. However, Indian law does not permit people to enter the National Park for this purpose, and we are also we are concerned that when large numbers of people do so it can disturb the nesting sites of the endangered pygmy hog.

What we're doing to help

We are trialing and researching the cultivation of premna in controlled conditions outside the National Park, in the hope that it can be grown within the villages of the region. If this can be done, people will have the option to obtain premna without taking it directly from the grasslands.
Reporting environmental crime in western Madagascar

In the remote region of Baly Bay in western Madagascar, the critically endangered Ploughshare tortoise has seen its numbers plummet due to poaching to supply the pet trade across Asia. Some of our work involves carrying out community patrols in order to monitor these activities. But with the help of local people we are working to increase our understanding about the networks involved in taking these animals from the wild.

What we're doing to help

We have for many years worked across villages in the region to support livelihoods and raise awareness of the ploughshare tortoise. We are currently looking into ways to enable more widespread reporting of environmental crime. We need to understand what more we can do to encourage people to report illegal activity, including how to address any concerns they have about doing so. In future, we hope to put in place reporting systems that meet the needs both of Durrell and those of local communities, in order to protect the Ploughshare tortoise for the long-term.
Biosecure pig-rearing in Assam

In the traditional Bodo communities of Assam, northern India, domestic pig-rearing is a widespread practice, providing an important source of food and income. In recent years, however, African Swine Fever has begun spreading in the region. This disease threatens people’s livelihoods and the work of the Pymgy Hog Conservation Project.

What we're doing to help

We are working in villages near the National Park to encourage more bio-secure pig-rearing practices. This includes helping people to build simple pens that will keep domestic pigs away from wild boars that might spread disease, as well as promoting the importance of hand-washing and disinfecting footwear to help protect their livestock.
Fire-setting in Madagascar

Wildfires present a major threat to a range of habitats across the country. Fires are set by people for a range of different reasons, including clearing forest for agriculture or to encourage the growth of pasture for cattle, as well as fires started by accident or as a form of protest.

What we're doing to help

Fire-setting has been a long-standing problem across Madagascar and has proven difficult to address. We are working with communities to better understand the underlying motivations for fire-setting and to help develop alternatives that meet people’s needs in other ways, including through the use of less destructive agricultural practices or finding different routes for people to contribute to decision-making and to have their voices heard.
Making conservation a direct livelihood

Few economic income opportunities contribute to high levels of poverty and unsustainable livelihood practices.

What we're doing to help

Patrolling, nest monitoring, tree planting, nursery maintenance and invasive species removal create local employment opportunities, which also serve to embed conservation and natural resource management skills in local communities for long term impact.

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Behaviour change

Threats to ecosystems and the species with which we work are often connected to the activities of people living nearby.

What we're doing to help

Herb collecting in Assam

What we're doing to help

We are trialing and researching the cultivation of premna in controlled conditions outside the National Park, in the hope that it can be grown within the villages of the region. If this can be done, people will have the option to obtain premna without taking it directly from the grasslands.

Reporting environmental crime in western Madagascar

What we're doing to help

Biosecure pig-rearing in Assam

What we're doing to help

Fire-setting in Madagascar

Wildfires present a major threat to a range of habitats across the country. Fires are set by people for a range of different reasons, including clearing forest for agriculture or to encourage the growth of pasture for cattle, as well as fires started by accident or as a form of protest.

What we're doing to help

Making conservation a direct livelihood

Few economic income opportunities contribute to high levels of poverty and unsustainable livelihood practices.

What we're doing to help

Patrolling, nest monitoring, tree planting, nursery maintenance and invasive species removal create local employment opportunities, which also serve to embed conservation and natural resource management skills in local communities for long term impact.