Effective Enforcement in a Conservation Area

Author(s):

Hilborn, Ray; Arcese, Peter; Borner, Markus; Hando, Justin; Hopcraft, Grant; Loibooki, Martin; Mduma, Simon; Sinclair, Anthony R. E.

Journal or Book Title: Effective Enforcement in a Conservation Area

Keywords: Proboscidea; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Ungulata; Perissodactyla; Loxodonta africana; Diceros bicornis; Protected species; Population exploitation; Hunting; Poaching; Case history; Environmental protection; Wild life; Protected area

Volume/Issue: 314/5803

Page Number(s): 1266

Year Published: 2006

Abstract:

Wildlife within protected areas is under increasing threat from bushmeat and illegal trophy trades, and many argue that enforcement within protected areas is not sufficient to protect wildlife. We examined 50 years of records from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and calculated the history of illegal harvest and enforcement by park authorities. We show that a precipitous decline in enforcement in 1977 resulted in a large increase in poaching and decline of many species. Conversely, expanded budgets and antipoaching patrols since the mid-1980s have greatly reduced poaching and allowed populations of buffalo, elephants, and rhinoceros to rebuild.

URL: Effective Enforcement in a Conservation Area

DOI: 10.1126/science.1132780

Type of Publication: Journal Article

shadow