Understanding illegal hunting practices in Uganda: a mixed-method approach

• In Event: The Study and Prevention of Wildlife Crime in Uganda

Abstract

Illegal animal hunting ("poaching") is a serious and growing problem in many developing countries as reflected by diminishing wildlife populations. In response, many countries have implemented wildlife protection laws that are enforced by deploying rangers to detect poaching activity and by giving fines or prison sentences to those arrested. However, wildlife hunting plays an important role in the livelihoods of many rural households, particularly in Africa. Therefore, concerns have been raised that enforcement measures may unintentionally discriminate against local people who often lack other livelihood options. This paper addresses the behavioural dimension of illegal hunting practices using a case-study approach of poaching by communities that live adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Semi-structured interviews reveal the motivational reasons for poaching, the hunting methods used, the perceived 'risks' and spatial choices that people make when poaching, as well as possible solutions and alternatives from a community perspective. The author discusses how such qualitative methods may be integrated with computer simulation modelling techniques to better understand the processes behind poaching with a view for preventing this type of wildlife crime. The logistical and ethical challenges when undertaking cross-cultural crime research on 'active offenders' are also discussed.

Author

• Joanna Hill, University College London