Life on the Frontline Conservation: The Job Satisfaction and Motivation Relationship of Eco-Guards in Protecting Tropical Biodiversity, Eastern DR Congo
Abstract
Rangers, or eco-guards, are indispensable actors in biodiversity conservation, particularly within protected areas (PAs) in conflict-affected regions such as the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, these frontline defenders often work in life-threatening conditions with minimal institutional backing. This study examines how job satisfaction influences motivation and performance among rangers in four ICCN-managed PAs: Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks, Itombwe Nature Reserve, and Luama Hunting Domain. Between November 2022 and February 2023, 160 rangers and PA program heads were surveyed through semi-structured interviews using a mixed-methods approach. Findings reveal that 63% of rangers experience low job satisfaction, mainly due to poor salaries, erratic bonuses, limited promotion prospects, weak communication, and lack of judicial protection. Despite facing violence and insecurity, 64% reported joining the profession out of a passion for nature. Notably, higher income and longer service were positively correlated with satisfaction. Crucially, the study highlights that enhancing ranger wellbeing has direct conservation benefits: improving salaries, housing, medical support, and legal safeguards can increase ranger morale and retention, reduce corruption, and enable more consistent field presence. Increased ranger density and performance-based incentives (e.g., through the SMART system) can strengthen anti-poaching efforts and biodiversity monitoring. Furthermore, offering structured career development and psychosocial support helps maintain a resilient workforce capable of operating in volatile areas. These measures echo the Chitwan Declaration (IRF, 2019) and urge policymakers and conservation actors to prioritize ranger welfare as a strategic pillar in conservation planning. This research provides practical pathways to bolster PA effectiveness in high-risk landscapes
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Copyright (c) 2025 Leonard Kakira Mubalama, Irenée Mugwarhiriza Murhula, Daniel Mastaki Batachoka, Désiré Mweze Rutakayingabo, Dieumerci Roosevelt Masumbuko, Pierre Aubin Mirindi Cikuru
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