Of Bonobos and Men. Deni Ellis Bechard

and enriched people who least needed help. It was hard not to ask whether conservation NGOs were making concrete and lasting change, or simply providing careers for their founders and for staff and scientists. The conservationist Richard Leakey, in speaking of wildlife management programs, has emphasized the need not on “theories and experts,” but for “the guys on the ground.”

      In the afterword to Dale Peterson’s Eating Apes, Karl Ammann, a nature photographer and conservationist, defines “experts” as “highly paid . . . outside theorists and professional biologists.” He asserts that conservation efforts need to focus more on supporting the people “who are already there, on the ground, supporting people who like people and who consider the studying of wildlife and habitat as a secondary priority.” Being a scientist might be no more important to conservation than the involvement of those with the ability to understand people and work well within their culture. By partnering with local leaders and training communities in conservation methods, conservationists can address the immediate needs of people who are deeply invested in the well-being of their land.