Laundering rhinoceroses and their parts in South Africa

• In Event: Greenlaundering, Joint Crime Ventures and Environmental Harm

Abstract

The persistent killing of rhinoceroses or rhinos, primarily for their horns, remains a significant issue. Every 15 hours, a rhino is killed due to the high demand for its horn. The majority of rhino deaths last year occurred in South Africa, which hosts the largest population of rhinos globally despite the existing regulations. This practice has severe consequences for biodiversity and impacts the social, cultural, and ecological values of rhinos. This presentation provides an analysis of wildlife laundering, with a specific focus on rhinos and their parts. It offers a literature-based and court case analysis grounded in criminological theory on wildlife laundering and illegal wildlife trade. The presentation examines the interactions between key players and the legal and illegal sources of rhino horns. It aims to contribute to the criminological literature on criminal networks, organized crime, and the field of green criminology. Finally, it identifies the main domestic and global instruments, analyzes their provisions, and explores how they can be circumvented by criminal networks in order to facilitate the laundering of wildlife and their parts.

Author

• Eliode Bakole Yalire, Utrecht University