Understanding South African private landowner decisions to manage rhinoceroses

With increased poaching pressures, rhinoceroses have become a financial liability due to expensive anti-poaching security costs required to protect this species. Nonetheless, approximately one-third of South Africa’s rhinoceros population is protected on private lands. In a time when the future existence of rhinoceroses is uncertain, it is important to determine (a) the considerations included in private sector decisions to participate in rhinoceros conservation and (b) how increased conservation of rhinoceroses on private lands may be attained. We conducted semi-structured interviews with private wildlife ranchers and reserve managers in South Africa to answer these questions. Respondents cataloged financial (e.g., security costs, tourism revenues) and nonfinancial (e.g., psychological stresses, emotional attachment) factors that influence their decisions to keep rhinoceroses on their lands. Despite significant costs of rhinoceros ownership, rhinoceros owners were willing to engage in conservation efforts because of the nonfinancial benefits they derive from protecting rhinoceroses.