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Evaluating deterrents of illegal behaviour in conservation: Carnivore killing in rural Taiwan

St. John, Freya A.V., Mai, Chin-Hsuan, Pei, Kurtis J. C. (2015) Evaluating deterrents of illegal behaviour in conservation: Carnivore killing in rural Taiwan. Biological Conservation, 189 . pp. 86-94. ISSN 0006-3207. (doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.08.019) (KAR id:43454)

Abstract

Rules restricting resource use are ubiquitous to conservation. Recent increases in poaching of iconic species such as African elephant and rhino have triggered high-profile interest in enforcement. Previous studies have used economic models to explore how the probability and severity of sanctions influence poacher-behaviour. Yet despite evidence that compliance can be substantial when the threat of state-imposed sanctions is low and profits high, few have explored other factors deterring rule-breaking. We use the randomised response technique (RRT) and direct questions to estimate the proportion of rural residents in north-western Taiwan illegally killing wildlife. We then model how potential sources of deterrence: perceived probabilities of detection and punishment, social norms and self-imposed guilt, relate to non-compliant behaviour (reported via RRT). The perceived likelihood of being punished and two types of social norms (injunctive and descriptive) predict behaviour and deter rule-breaking. Harnessing social norms that encourage compliance offers potential for reducing the persecution of threatened species.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.08.019
Uncontrolled keywords: Social norms, Guilt, Enforcement, Compliance, Randomized response technique
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: Organisations -1 not found.
Depositing User: F.A.V. St-John
Date Deposited: 15 Dec 2014 11:44 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 03:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43454 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

St. John, Freya A.V..

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