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Poaching as a Sociological Phenomenon: Constructed Crossroads and Conflicts among the People and Pachyderms of Sub-Saharan Africa

Carlson, Shelby C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou15244796931581

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Sociology (Arts and Sciences).
According to the Wildlife Land Trust (2015) more than one million animals are illegally killed each year. This criminal activity, known as poaching, threatens the survival of targeted species, as well as the biodiversity of the ecosystems to which they belong, the livelihood of local communities, and even national security. Considering the unprecedented rates across the globe, the urgency to find solutions has intensified. Although efforts have been predominately led by wildlife conservationists and biologists, given the anthropocentric nature of poaching, in this paper I call for an interdisciplinary approach incorporating an environmental sociological perspective and analysis. Grounded in social conflict theory and green criminology, I explore various forms of inequality to examine the ecological, economic, and social contexts in which poaching occur. Furthermore, I utilize symbolic interactionism to investigate how the construction of these factors may influence the participation in and perpetuation of this illegal activity. While there are countless species affected by poaching, I specifically analyze the poaching of one of the most emotive megafauna and largest living land animal, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotic) (Blanc, 2008). Using a mixed methods approach comprised of multiple regression analysis and textual content analysis, I evaluate secondary data from the thirty-seven African countries in which these species inhabit. Findings reveal that agricultural land proportion, gross domestic product, female literacy, democracy, and male unemployment are significant predictors of poaching. The results of this research seek to inform national anti-poaching policy and practice, as well as international collaboration and activism to comprehensively address this complex criminal offense whose consequences transcend species, boundaries, and time.
Stephen Scanlan (Committee Chair)
99 p.
Sociology
Environmental Sociology; Wildlife Poaching; Social Inequality; Conflict Theory; Green Criminology; Social Constructionism; Symbolic Interactionism; Sustainability; African Elephants; Wildlife Conservation; Sub-Saharan Africa

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Carlson, S. C. (2018). Poaching as a Sociological Phenomenon: Constructed Crossroads and Conflicts among the People and Pachyderms of Sub-Saharan Africa [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou15244796931581

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Carlson, Shelby. Poaching as a Sociological Phenomenon: Constructed Crossroads and Conflicts among the People and Pachyderms of Sub-Saharan Africa. 2018. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou15244796931581.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Carlson, Shelby. "Poaching as a Sociological Phenomenon: Constructed Crossroads and Conflicts among the People and Pachyderms of Sub-Saharan Africa." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou15244796931581

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.