Stakeholder Perceptions of Rhinoceros Poaching in South Africa

South Africa is the current stronghold for African rhinoceros, but this country faces some of the most intense challenges in protecting this species from poaching given that more than 6,200 rhinoceros have been poached in this... [ view full abstract ]

South Africa is the current stronghold for African rhinoceros, but this country faces some of the most intense challenges in protecting this species from poaching given that more than 6,200 rhinoceros have been poached in this country since 2008. This study builds on previous research on this topic by addressing two questions. First, what are stakeholder attitudes toward the poaching of rhinoceros? Second, what do stakeholders perceive are the drivers of this behavior and motivations of poachers that led to the increase in poaching over the last decade? Data were obtained from 54 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (e.g., community members, field rangers, legal / law enforcement, government employees, private game reserve personnel) in six provinces across South Africa. These stakeholders characterize poachers differently based on the geographical location of their targets. For example, poachers in provinces near Kruger National Park (e.g., Limpopo) are thought to be of Mozambican origin and have low incomes, whereas poachers further south (e.g., Eastern Cape, Western Cape) are often described as more wealthy and of Afrikaner or English origin. Although the predominant perception was that the rhinoceros poaching situation was negative, some expressed positive outcomes such as increased jobs in the security sector, interdepartmental cooperation, and protection for other species. The most commonly reported concerns were lack of political will in South Africa and neighboring Mozambique, limited resources, and threat of rhinoceros extinction. The general perception among stakeholders is that the majority of people within communities are indifferent to the poaching of rhinoceros. Most stakeholders felt that money was the motivation for the poaching and many believed that it is common for individuals who poach rhinoceros to be involved in other criminal activities. Many stakeholders believed that some loss was acceptable as long as populations of rhinoceros were not jeopardized. Several stakeholders expressed concerns over the prevalence of compassion fatigue and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) among those working on the front lines combating poaching. Understanding these cognitions is important, as there is a need for common ground and cross-cultural discourse about how to address threats, such as the poaching of rhinoceros, that span international boundaries.