Keeping the Horn on the Rhino: A Study of Balule Nature Reserve

Abstract

Wildlife trafficking, as a form of transnational environmental crime, is a lucrative illicit endeavor that is rivaled only by trafficking in arms, humans, and drugs. The illegal trade in wildlife, timber, and fish is worth approximately 10–15 billion US dollars annually (Braun 2012). Poaching of animals is a threat to the livelihood of local communities, which depend on wildlife tourism. In 2012, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, labeled poaching a national security threat (rather than a mere conservation issue) and advocated for more law enforcement training and expertise to stem the surge of poaching (Braun 2012; Rhino Mercy 2013). Undercover investigations have shown that the proceeds of wildlife poaching are currently financing terrorist organizations (e.g., Lord’s Resistance Army, Al Shabaab, see Kalron and Crosta 2013; Christy and Stinton 2015). Calls for integrated anti-poaching and wildlife trafficking approaches have led to the emergence of multi-stakeholder initiatives and public–private partnerships (Johannesen and Skonhoft 2004; Poudyal et al. 2009; Hauck and Sweijd 1999). Despite these initiatives, the poaching of rhinos in South Africa continues unabated and is occurring through the use of increasingly sophisticated methods. In fact, poaching numbers have increased from a few per year to three a day.