Death and Destruction: Insight into the Rhino Poaching Epidemic in South Africa

The poaching of wildlife has been a concern to many involved in the protection of wildlife. Poaching is found throughout the world and has been around for thousands of years. In the past century, poaching has reached new heights and the concern of an extinction of a species has bought the topic of poaching to new light. Whilst poaching has been seen as a biological or conservation topic in the past, criminologists around the world have now started to delve into the topic. The poaching of wildlife and more so in recent years, rhino poaching, has been a concern in South Africa. South Africa has seen an increase in rhino poaching in the past 8 years, where over 4,000 rhinos have been slaughtered. This research aims to give insight into the current rhino-poaching epidemic in South Africa and looks at the problem from a criminological point of view, where possible solutions can be recommend using criminological theories for the prevention of rhino poaching.