This issue of Unasylva shows that sustainable wildlife management is feasible in the modern era. Wildlife management is the focus of considerable international debate because of its importance for biodiversity conservation, human safety, livelihoods and food security.

This issue covers a range of different approaches and geographical areas, from the Amazon to southern Africa and central Asia. In some cases, a sustainable offtake - by local people, trophy hunters and legitimate wildlife traders - is proving vital to obtain local buy-in to wildlife management and to pay the costs of maintaining habitats. Unasylva 249 is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on the best ways to manage wildlife.