Alignment of cultural interest and conservation priority in sub-saharan Africa National Parks

Abstract

Against the backdrop of accelerating biodiversity loss and limited conservation funding, understanding what drives interest in National Parks (NPs) is key to securing political and financial support. We analyzed 322 NPs across 44 sub-Saharan African countries, integrating digital visibility (Wikipedia page views) as a proxy for Cultural Interest with the relative proportion of threatened mammal species as a measure of Conservation Priority. We examined socio-geographic drivers of both dimensions and identified mammal species most associated with Cultural Interest. Park size, age, regional patterns, and colonial language influenced Cultural Interest, while socio-economic variables such as inequality and population density were more strongly linked to Conservation Priority. Results reveal geographic asymmetries: NPs in Austral Africa show high Cultural Interest but relatively lower Conservation Priority, Central and Western Africa harbor greater biodiversity threats but receive less attention, and Eastern Africa balances both dimensions. Although the ‘Big Five’ dominate attention, lesser-known mammals such as primates, small felids, and ungulates offer untapped potential to increase park visibility. Cultural Interest and Conservation Priority show limited alignment, exposing gaps between public visibility and ecological need. By positioning parks within a two-dimensional framework, we highlight opportunities for targeted communication, digital engagement, and financing strategies to bridge this divide and strengthen conservation agendas.