Two Tool Boxes for Wildlife Management?

This article likens Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal wildlife approaches to two “tool boxes.” Drawing on examples of Australian land and wildlife management issues, the authors explore similarities and differences between the two cultures in wildlife management goals, authority sources, views on appropriate uses, knowledge transfer and knowledge bases, and management techniques applied. Examples discussed include use of fire in northern Australia and central Australian Aboriginal responses to wildlife re-introduction programs. These and other examples illustrate differences and similarities between the two cultural approaches, and highlight convergences or compromises that show the cultural “divide” can be crossed. In concluding, the article argues that western wildlife managers need to be aware of the cultural history of places that support wildlife populations of interest; to involve traditional indigenous custodians of these places; and to adopt de-centralized decision-making processes that give the appropriate indigenous people a real say in managing land and wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]