The trade of rhino horn is a strong indicator of the continuous exploitation of the global south for the purposes of self-benefit, creating the image of power and status, and profit maximization. One can conclude after the following points, the rhino horn trade is a zero sum game in which only the beneficiaries are those at the end of the geographic flow.
The current rhino population is estimated at five thousand, they are currently a critically endangered species. Majority of rhinoceros live in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Kenya. Historically from the year 200 B.C to 200 A.D, rhinoceros horns along with their blood, skin, and urine have been in high demand in oriental Asia due to the belief that these body parts serve as ailments …show more content…
The rhinoceros horn trade is an international criminal enterprise involving a variety of participants including but not limited to; Vietnamese diplomats, Irish gangsters, antique dealers, and Thai prostitutes. It is clear to see that there is an extremely uneven trade relationship between the source country and the recipient country. The rhinoceros horn trade is considered to a small select individuals a “low risk and high returns” due to the weak judicial systems enforcing small punishments for rhino poaching. The average rhino horn dealer can earn up to $30,000 per horn, which is much more than the street price of crack cocaine along with a much smaller punishment if caught. Also due to weak institutions there is much corruption and poverty in the source countries of the rhino trade. Rebel groups, paramilitary groups, and hunters are often in association with government officials arranging deals to hunt the rhinos and to sell off their parts. Consumers on the other side of the equation seek to acquire the rhinoceros horns for to appear to be of high status; being in possession of a piece of rhino horn suggests that you are either wealthy or have a powerful social circle. Another reason for having the rhino horn is for …show more content…
The legalization solution brought forth also will protect the rhino population because they will be herded instead of hunting them, therefore the rhinos horns will be shaved down and sold since rhino horns can rejuvenate. Those who collect the rhino horns from the source country are the ones who receive the smallest piece of the pie, we know that rhino horn dealers in Vietnam earn anywhere from $33 per gram to $133 per gram of rhino horn which is much more than the price of gold and cocaine. This is an industry in the black market which draws most of its inertia from the consumer demand, signifying the importance of the behaviour of its consumers. After both China and Yemen, once the largest rhino horn consumers, had banned the trade of this commodity the poaching of rhinoceros has dropped significantly until a surge in demand for rhinoceros horns had occurred. The demand surge had initiated after rumours had circulated that a Vietnamese politician had cured his cancer using rhino horns, this fuelled a renewed interest in the alleged health benefits. This is a strong indicator of the exploitative nature of the rhino trade for the recipient nation’s own self-interest while the extracting nation reaps very little in
The current rhino population is estimated at five thousand, they are currently a critically endangered species. Majority of rhinoceros live in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Kenya. Historically from the year 200 B.C to 200 A.D, rhinoceros horns along with their blood, skin, and urine have been in high demand in oriental Asia due to the belief that these body parts serve as ailments …show more content…
The rhinoceros horn trade is an international criminal enterprise involving a variety of participants including but not limited to; Vietnamese diplomats, Irish gangsters, antique dealers, and Thai prostitutes. It is clear to see that there is an extremely uneven trade relationship between the source country and the recipient country. The rhinoceros horn trade is considered to a small select individuals a “low risk and high returns” due to the weak judicial systems enforcing small punishments for rhino poaching. The average rhino horn dealer can earn up to $30,000 per horn, which is much more than the street price of crack cocaine along with a much smaller punishment if caught. Also due to weak institutions there is much corruption and poverty in the source countries of the rhino trade. Rebel groups, paramilitary groups, and hunters are often in association with government officials arranging deals to hunt the rhinos and to sell off their parts. Consumers on the other side of the equation seek to acquire the rhinoceros horns for to appear to be of high status; being in possession of a piece of rhino horn suggests that you are either wealthy or have a powerful social circle. Another reason for having the rhino horn is for …show more content…
The legalization solution brought forth also will protect the rhino population because they will be herded instead of hunting them, therefore the rhinos horns will be shaved down and sold since rhino horns can rejuvenate. Those who collect the rhino horns from the source country are the ones who receive the smallest piece of the pie, we know that rhino horn dealers in Vietnam earn anywhere from $33 per gram to $133 per gram of rhino horn which is much more than the price of gold and cocaine. This is an industry in the black market which draws most of its inertia from the consumer demand, signifying the importance of the behaviour of its consumers. After both China and Yemen, once the largest rhino horn consumers, had banned the trade of this commodity the poaching of rhinoceros has dropped significantly until a surge in demand for rhinoceros horns had occurred. The demand surge had initiated after rumours had circulated that a Vietnamese politician had cured his cancer using rhino horns, this fuelled a renewed interest in the alleged health benefits. This is a strong indicator of the exploitative nature of the rhino trade for the recipient nation’s own self-interest while the extracting nation reaps very little in