The reluctance of managers to take scientific research seriously may have reflected a perceived lack of relevance of many scientists’ research agendas and general distrust between the scientific and practitioner communities. Recognising that the failure to respond promptly to observed declines reflected an institutional problem, a programme of adaptive management based on “thresholds of concern” was developed and implemented to ensure active cooperation between the two communities (van Wilgen and Biggs 2011). Relationships between managers and scientists improved and much of the monitoring in Kruger is now undertaken by section rangers and their staff. In Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park this issue was addressed though the development of a processed based management paradigm entrenched within the management plan.