Investigating the Drivers and Mitigation of Rhino Poaching in Kruger National Park through Biological and Geographical Perspectives

This interdisciplinary investigation explores how demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine drives rhino poaching in South Africa and evaluates the efficacy of biological and geographical mitigation strategies.

Utilizing a World Studies approach, the paper integrates biological analysis of rhino vulnerabilities and horn composition with geographical mapping of poaching hotspots and global trafficking routes via GIS. The research identifies how cultural demand intersects with biological constraints, such as slow reproductive rates, to accelerate population decline.

Key findings highlight the effectiveness of dehorning and translocation, while GIS analysis demonstrates how spatial data on terrain, rainfall, and edge effects can optimize anti-poaching patrols. This exemplar is notable for its nuanced integration of biological resilience and spatial precision in conservation management.