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Protecting endangered species: When are shoot-on-sight policies the only viable option to stop poaching?

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  • Messer, Kent D.

Abstract

Protecting endangered species that offer poachers from low-income countries high economic benefits remains a policy challenge. A broadly applicable economic model of poaching shows why CITES international bans have not always been successful, especially in situations where black markets exist and nonpoaching wages are low. In these situations, poachers may have nothing left to lose, since low nonpoaching wages impose a practical cap on the potential economic costs of fines and imprisonment. Thus, the model suggests "shoot-on-sight" policies as the only viable option. Trends in animal populations appear to support the efficacy of the shoot-on-sight policies, which also suggests an inherent value of life traditionally not captured in Value of a Statistical Life estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Messer, Kent D., 2010. "Protecting endangered species: When are shoot-on-sight policies the only viable option to stop poaching?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 2334-2340, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:69:y:2010:i:12:p:2334-2340
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    2. Lopes, Adrian A., 2019. "Transnational links in rhino poaching and the black-market price of rhino horns," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 63(1), January.
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    4. Conrad, Jon M. & Lopes, Adrian A., 2017. "Poaching and the dynamics of a protected species," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 55-67.
    5. Kashwan, Prakash, 2017. "Inequality, democracy, and the environment: A cross-national analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 139-151.
    6. Sam M Ferreira & Judith M Botha & Megan C Emmett, 2012. "Anthropogenic Influences on Conservation Values of White Rhinoceros," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(9), pages 1-14, September.
    7. Ugochukwu, Albert I. & Hobbs, Jill E. & Phillips, Peter W.B. & Kerr, William A., 2018. "Technological Solutions to Authenticity Issues in International Trade: The Case of CITES Listed Endangered Species," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 730-739.
    8. Lee, Tamsin E. & Roberts, David L., 2016. "Devaluing rhino horns as a theoretical game," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 337(C), pages 73-78.

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