Swaziland - Conservation

Swaziland has a controversial past when it comes to conservation. Commercial farmers and poachers threatened (and continue to threaten) the survival of Swaziland's wildlife and natural habitat.

In the late 1950's conservationist Ted Reilly appealed to the colonial government of the time for land to be put aside for parks, but was unsuccessful.

Undeterred, he transformed his own private estate into a conservation area named Mlilwane - meaning little fire. Now it has developed into Swaziland's most popular wildlife reserve, ten times its original size.

In fact, all three of the country's major wildlife sanctuaries (Mlilwane, Mkhaya and Hlane) were created, and maintained by Ted Reilly and his family.

The controversy however, lies in the old philosophical pickle: Does the end justify the means? In 1992 a shootout ensued after Reilly tracked down a gang of poachers, resulting in one poacher being crippled and another killed, gaining the unrelenting Reilly just a little more infamy.

Criticism aside, the results are impressive. Swaziland's wildlife and flora have been revived from near-eradication to a substantial tourism trade protecting white and black rhino, lion, and elephant; among others.

Conservation problems for the future include soil depletion, famine, drought, overgrazing, and floods.

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