Pachyderms, primates, plants and population

Abstract

In the past, growth in human population has often been associated with species loss. Current rates of population growth, both globally (1 million more births than deaths every 103 hours) and regionally, pose a threat of additional ecological damage. There is a well-documented unmet demand for family planning in nearly all high-fertility countries. Improved family planning and safe abortion services will improve the health of women and their families, accelerate fertility decline, and help preserve the environment. Many ecologically vulnerable areas are especially poorly served by family planning services. Examples are given here of improving family planning services through private health providers near the Kakamega Forest in western Kenya, and of adding family planning choices to a reforestation project run by the Jane Goodall Institute near the Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Wildlife biologists can play a critical role in identifying local professionals and institutions with the potential to improve family planning.