Applied Science

The Division of Applied Science is involved in various sectors related to wildlife, including distribution of game and other wildlife species, habitat use, impact of wildlife diseases, wildlife resource economics, hunting systems, ecosystem sensitivity to human and climate influences, and more. The division aims to evaluate management regimes for sustainable harvests and to preserve threatened wildlife and habitats.

One of the main goals of the Division of Applied Science is to promote concepts that ensure the sustainable use of wildlife as a renewable resource, providing revenue for local communities and funding for wildlife conservation programs. Their approach involves Incentive-Driven Conservation, which combines land ownership, cultural and economic aspirations of local communities, and the interests of hunters to achieve socially acceptable and sustainable conservation outcomes.

The division emphasizes the involvement of rural communities in wildlife management to address conservation problems and conflicts. Regulated hunting, including subsistence, recreational, hunting tourism, and trophy hunting, is seen as a positive contribution to conservation and empowerment objectives. All hunting activities must be well-organized, transparent, and follow sustainability principles defined in international guidelines.

The Applied Science Division integrates projects and tasks of former CIC Commissions and Working Groups and collaborates with other CIC divisions, regional coordination forums, and national delegations. Cross-divisional issues are addressed through cooperation with colleagues from other CIC divisions.