Archive Event Highlight

by Chad Bouchard

When documentary photographer Guillaume Bonn set out to write a book about wildlife conservation in East Africa, he wanted to depict the complexities of human-animal relationships that he’d witnessed as a child growing up in Kenya, and over his two decades of fieldwork.

During an OPC book night to on June 3, Bonn said his title, Paradise Inc., is a juxtaposition “of the idealized, postcard image of Africa with the reality that conservation has become a business. It also alludes to the fragility of Africa’s beauty.”

The discussion, moderated by New York Times Managing Editor and OPC Governor Marc Lacey, delved into themes of ecological collapse, flawed conservation models, and the need to reframe how the world sees Africa.

Bonn said since childhood, he has seen beautiful landscapes vanish, as farms and human development encroaches on wildlife habitat.

“[The book is] kind of a quest and a reflection. I’m trying to start a conversation about something that we all think is being taken care of – the preservation of wildlife and the landscape where wildlife lives – we all think that the usual suspects are basically taking care of it, and that is not the reality on the ground.”

Bonn said coverage of African preserves tends to idealize conservation and vilify poachers to raise money, and others who impinge on natural habitats.

Bonn criticized the entrenched model of “fortress conservation,” a colonial-era approach that prioritizes national parks while excluding local communities. Parks are surrounded by human dwellings, and “animals now are in direct conflict with humans, because animals still need to go outside of the park to feed themselves,” he said.

While poaching still exists, Bonn argued that unregulated development and habitat loss are far greater threats. “Progress is advancing rapidly and destroying everything in its wake.”

Asked whether tourism helps or harms conservation, Bonn said the answer is “complicated.” He displayed photos of safari busses crowding around wildlife, saying that when one guide finds a leopard or other high-demand animal, they radio other busses in the area, including competitors.

The guides say, “‘It’s the rule.’ And it infuriates me. The rule of who? Why can we not just be here and relish this moment on our own, and look at the leopard, and leave him in peace?” While tourism can bring in funding, he said, much of the profit remains concentrated in elite hands, with little benefit to surrounding communities.

Bonn expressed cautious optimism. “There are local solutions that work,” he said, adding that a solution for one community may not work for another. He cited Rwanda’s gorilla tourism model as an example of how political will and good public education can make a difference.

“When a gorilla is born, Rwanda celebrates it on the radio and on TV. And that has been going on for twenty-plus years now. So there’s a respect now from the population in Rwanda towards their gorilla population.”

Click here to purchase Paradise Inc.

Click the window below to watch a playlist of video clips from the program.