So, you want to be a conservationist? Staff profile

The life and advice of U Tin Than, Field Biologist

“If you find a herd of elephants, a tiger will be behind them”

That’s what a Burmese villager, who had spent 30 years of his life hunting elephants, taught to U Tin Than, a field biologist with WWF Thailand’s conservation program. U Tin has devoted the last 5 years to surveying wildlife and the wildlife trade in Burma/Myanmar, trying to capture the knowledge of the local population to help conservation. 

Where did you grow up?
I was born in 1948 on the island of Ramree, off the coast of Arakan State, in western Burma/Myanmar.

Ramree is a big island with many mountains and some long rivers. The weekends of my youth were spent wandering through the wilderness of the tropical rain forest, mangroves, mountains, mudflats and rivers.

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What subjects did you like best at school?
I was not particularly interested in any subject when I was at secondary school , but fortunately I got a chance to learn Zoology in my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Rangoon University (Burma).

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What did you want to be?
When I was young I wanted to become a medical doctor. As my mother died of cancer, I wanted to become a person who could cure cancer and save people who were suffering from cancer. I even applied for a schoarship to do a Ph.D. in Biochemistry with the hope of becoming a molecular biologist so I could investigate the causes of cancer.

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What subjects did you study at University?
As an undergraduate, I studied Zoology, Biology, and Chemistry.

In later studies I also delved into Ecology, Zoogeography, Microbiology, Physiology, Evolution, Genetics, Neurology, Soil Science, Economics, Strategic Planning, Statistics, Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing, Management, Business Development and many more!

All together I did two masters degrees, one at Rangoon University with a research position at the Institute of Medicine in Burma, and the other at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand in the field of interdisciplinary natural resources management and planning.

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What do you like most about your job?
Following the tiger in the jungle.

When you find tiger footprints on the bank of a sandy bank, in the middle of a remote forest area, it is an extremely exciting moment.

Seeing herds of real wild elephants in the jungle is also very enjoyable and motivating. But also coming back from the field and writing survey reports is an activity I also find rewarding, as it gives me an opportunity to share my findings with others.

Traveling in wild places is another thing that I enjoy... especially walking along the animal trails in the evergreen and deciduous forests in mountainous areas. Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand is the most impressive and beautiful forested land I have ever experienced in my wildlife field studies. Seeing a group of gibbons in the Khao Yai National Park is also something which is difficult to forget.

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What do you dislike about the job?
Having to depend on donor agencies. When I have to look around for money for our projects, I feel sad. I don't like begging. I have a strong belief that conservation is a moral value. However, as a conservationist I also cannot avoid the reality and practicality of the work.

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How would you describe yourself?
I am a defensive guy. When I play football, I always play in defense. Conservation work, in my opinion, is defensive too. Nature is under attack by greedy people; we have to defend it. I am also a risky person . I have strong tendency to take risks on many occasions. I am optimistic and put high value on “honesty” and “altruism”. I do believe humankind is improving.

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What are your ambitions for the future?
I would like to immediately introduce WWF work in Burma/Myanmar where conservation is an urgent need, since the majority of people are still unaware of the benefits of conservation and the threats of a non-sustainable use of resources.

For instance, during my investigations into the wildlife trade I met one villager who alone had killed 37 tigers. How can the species survive if hunting goes on at this rate?

I also met a former tiger hunter who used to finance the university education of his children with the money he earned from the illegal trade of tiger’s skin and bones. Action is urgently needed to educate people to shift to sustainable forms of income generation, so that we do not impoverish the web of life.

So my ambition is to assist in establishing a functional branch of WWF in Burma. I’d like to set up a group of young men and women who are equipped with contemporary conservation skills, knowledge and commitment for the protection of nature and wildlife, along with an understanding of international issues and cooperation.

Knowledge alone is not enough: if you want to become a conservationist, an MBA won’t be of any help unless you have a strong commitment to nature.

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How did you end up working for WWF?
I had to leave my teaching job in Burma/Myanmar when I honestly answered an official question of whether I participated in demonstration for Democracy in 1988 in Burma/Myanmar. The result was I had to leave the country. Then I got a scholarship at the AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) and worked for a training program in the Institute after graduation.

One day I met Dr. Robert Mather, current country representative of WWF Thailand Programme and he encouraged me to join WWF.

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What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you do?
Conservation efforts are difficult tasks. They require an enormous amount of sacrifice, courage, perseverance, and moral value. Difficulties and hardships should not be seen as discouraging - conservation itself involves both challenges and opportunities.

The future existence of the world’s natural environment depends on younger people’s dedication and courage, for it is only in these qualities where our best hope lie.