Evaluating determinants of wire-snare poaching risk in the Boland Mountain Complex of South Africa

Abstract

Wire-snare poaching for bushmeat is increasingly recognised as a global threat to biodiversity and is directly linked to the reduction or extirpation of targeted species, threatened species bycatch and the loss of functional ecosystem processes. However, studies evaluating the extent and underlying dynamics of bushmeat poaching in southern Africa remain limited. Despite growing evidence of wire-snaring incidence in the Boland Mountain Complex of South Africa, formal research has been restricted to unverified reporting. Through systematic anti-poaching patrols on private agricultural properties bordering protected areas, this study characterised snaring, compared interview- and patrol-reported incidence to quantify the influence of socioeconomic and biophysical determinants of bushmeat poaching, and spatially predicted poaching risk throughout the region. In total, 671 snares were located during 96 (46%) bi-annual patrols (June 2019 to June 2020), covering a total distance of 1,332 km across 112 private properties. Of these snares, 537 (80%) were anchored and active. Furthermore, snares were primarily positioned along game trails (47%) and fence lines (39%) where they were predominantly anchored to trees (40%) or fence posts (39%). Snares were mainly made of wire (70%) or nylon (19%) and suspended at 0–60 cm (97%). Snaring incidence did not differ significantly (P = 0.186) between interviews (n = 307) and patrols (n = 180), reporting on average 2.32 ± 0.23 (SE) snares on the property in the month preceding each interview and 3.34 ± 0.55 snares removed on interviewed properties (n = 92). Interview-reported snaring positively correlated with the number of resident families per property and the use of lethal control measures but was negatively correlated with owners endorsing punitive measures and where orchards were the primary agricultural output. In contrast, patrol-reported snaring frequency increased with the number of resident families per property, farmer residency and a primary agricultural output of orchards. High risk areas for snaring were predicted between 2.2 and 5.8 km from the nearest public street, between 1.5 and 2.2 km from the nearest settlement, at elevations of 300–500 m, between 1.8 and 2.5 km from the nearest protected area and 0.5–3.2 km from the nearest river, thus identifying new poaching hotspots across the region. This study features a novel interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex nature of bushmeat poaching and adds applied conservation value by optimising current monitoring and law enforcement efforts.