Abstract
Crimes against wildlife have come to the fore in South Africa in the past decade – largely due to the dramatic escalation of rhino poaching. As a major custodian of iconic species such as the Big Five, South Africa is at the core of the illicit wildlife economy. Since the country is reliant on wildlife tourism for economic development, poaching brings serious financial consequences. These negative impacts, however, extend far beyond the economy and also protrude into the cultural sphere. While some South Africans may be unmoved by the plight of the country’s wildlife as a result of a lack of exposure thereto, many feel socially linked to wildlife. Concerned citizens often consider that future generations will not be able to experience wildlife due to extinction, and will thus be deprived of their rightful cultural inheritance. The impact of wildlife crime may therefore be seen as a form of cultural victimisation.
Highlights
This commentary piece suggests that wildlife crime may be a form of cultural victimisation for people who feel that wildlife is part of their identity
33% of blacks reported wanting to visit a game reserve to view wildlife but not being able to do so. These results suggest that most South Africans care about wildlife, even if they are not directly involved therewith.[36]
I have suggested that wildlife crime can be considered a form of cultural victimisation for people who feel that their identities intersect with wildlife
Summary
Crimes against wildlife have been in the spotlight in South Africa in the past decade – largely due to the escalation of rhino poaching. In South Africa, rates of rhino poaching have ballooned since 2007, causing alarm among both conservationists and concerned citizens.[1] Due to the fact that South Africa is a major wildlife tourist destination and is greatly dependent on tourism as a key source of income, the decimation of one of the iconic Big Five species has potentially dire consequences for the economy.[2] poaching affects biodiversity, negatively impacting the whole ecosystem. While it acknowledges that most South Africans may never set foot in a game park and that some may view wildlife activism as a ‘white’ or exclusionary cause, its key contribution is to suggest that crimes against wildlife can be regarded as a form of cultural victimisation
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