In the Dust of Kilimanjaro

by David Western

The director of the Kenya Wildlife Service recounts his childhood in Tanzania, the dawning of his concern for Africa's environment and wildlife, and his pioneering of a new approach to global wildlife conservation that balances the needs of people and animals. IP.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Nature, Memoir, History, Politics, Conservation

312 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Sandra Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

So important.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it - a good amount of repetition and would have been nice to have a little glossary and a timeline at the back of the book- but I had never read anything focused on ecology and conservation before and really liked hearing about it from a personal and autobiographical angle.

[Mark McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful read about modern day conservatism.


I started reading this book to prepare for a once in a lifetime vacation on safari in Africa. The focus of the book is saving African wildlife and it focuses on the Kenyan National Park Amboseli. While the book provided great insight to Amboseli and how far the park has come in being restored from the periods of mismanagement to the testament to modern conversations it is today, the book also provided great insight to Amboseli National Park. That said, and more importantly, the book provides great insight to a conservation success story. The realization that when ecosystems are being discussed, the discussion needs to include humans was eye opening. It was fascinating to learn the role the Maasai people play in a sustainable healthy ecosystem on the savannahs of Africa. The book was more than brought to life by own personal experiences, but I learned so much more than how Amboseli became a national park, I learned why it is so critical that it did. My travels in Africa left me appreciating the people of Africa that have come so far in preserving the continents wildlife. Of course there is still much to be done, and the story leaves me wondering about possibilities to see Safari's and massive herds of animals right here in North America.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and entertaining look at a microcosm of conservation history in Kenya: Amboseli. Western's approach to conservation and science - integrating the participation and knowledge of local peoples - is what I aspire to. The book was refreshingly optimistic while still honestly engaging with the myriad challenges conservation in Africa faces.

As a book, it was a bit slow to start and the diversion to talking about elephant poaching and the ivory ban in the last third of the book seemed out of place. But overall the book was very interesting, informative, and heartening.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in conservation, ecology, or East Africa.

[Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true gem about conservation book. A food for thought on conservation matters, people - wildlife conflict and relationship.
And it also present a good timeline on development of conservation understanding. And ironically to me, the ivory game is still like that day, little progresses has been achieved.
Lastly, a good lesson about community engagement and how to fight a good fight.

[Amit Kurien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine book and memoir by one of the most far-sighted thinkers on the subject of wildlife conservation!

[Philip Stouffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the author's life in conservation

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for anybody interested in conservation, especially in East Africa. Mr Western is a little too fond of the pastoralists.

Pastoralists are now seriously overgrazing all of their range and are doing irreversible damage to much of it. I admire Mr Western for trying to address this situation. I would like him to recognise that the situation is spiralling out of control and in the end strict law enforcement and enforced controls of stock numbers may be the only solution.

It is all very well, and vital, to encourage communities to participate in managing wildlife and wilderness in there domain, however my experience has led me to believe that while communities must benefit from their wildlife resource, they are often not the best custodians of it. Central governments must help to mange the utilization of natural resources in an inclusive process. Revenues must be shared.

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a finely narrated first person account of a life devoted to conservation of land and wildlife in East Africa. I'm especially impressed by Western's use of narration and description, skills more suited to a fiction writer than a scientist. His activism becomes more meaningful because the scenes are fully realized. I appreciate the opportunity to spend even a brief amount of time studying this complex history of culture and biology. "the Swahili word for animals, wanyama, means meat."

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I'm really enjoying this book.