Do armed field-rangers deter rhino poachers? An empirical analysis
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Published source details
Barichievy C., Munro L., Clinning G., Whittington-Jones B. & Masterson G. (2017) Do armed field-rangers deter rhino poachers? An empirical analysis. Biological Conservation, 209, 554–560.
Published source details Barichievy C., Munro L., Clinning G., Whittington-Jones B. & Masterson G. (2017) Do armed field-rangers deter rhino poachers? An empirical analysis. Biological Conservation, 209, 554–560.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Provide/increase anti-poaching patrols Action Link |
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Provide/increase anti-poaching patrols
A study in 2011–2013 in a protected area in South Africa (Barichievy et al. 2017) found that where anti-poaching patrols were more common, poaching of African rhinocerous was also more common, but that there was no relationship between the amount of time rangers spent in a location and the likelihood of a poaching event. In areas that rangers visited more frequently, poaching of rhinocerous was more likely to occur. However, in areas where rangers spent more time patrolling, poaching was no more likely to occur. Data were reported as model results. Authors suggest that a range of factors, such as practicalities of access, may result in both more ranger visits and more poaching. Between September 2011 and September 2013, ranger locations were recorded at three-minute intervals in 0.25-km2 grid cells across the protected area. The location of rhinoceros poaching events, identified from monitoring by park authorities, was overlaid on to the same grid. The average frequency and duration of visits by rangers was calculated for each area where rhinoceros poaching occurred.
(Summarised by: Phil Martin)
