Rhino Paper Ethics

AWARENESS:

1. What is going on in this situation?

John Hume, the owner of one of South Africa’s largest private land reserves operates the a private game farm for the black and white rhino. Here he raises these animals, part of the “Big 5,” for live animal sales as well as sport hunting and has transformed the legalized harvest of rhino into a profitable business. The profitability of big game farming and trophy hunting is extremely high, more than $3.7 million in 2010. Although the majority of the profits come from the sale of live animals to farmers and exporters, the sport hunting industry is willing to pay upwards of $250,000 to kill a rhino.

Game farming of the two species is drastically different as the behavior and disposition of the black and white rhino are dissimilar. White rhino live relatively peacefully in large herds similar to cattle, needing little protection. Whereas the black rhino are considerably more aggressive and live in smaller packs, with males rhino often killing young males they see as a threat. This distinction is an important factor when it comes to game farming as one species is drastically more labor and cost intensive to farm. This also limits the rate at which the black rhino population can grow.

Hume has a long history of conservation and the rebound of the black rhino population from 1993 to 2008 is largely due to the efforts he has taken on his preserve. However, in 2011 both the black and white rhino faced the worst poaching crisis in decades due to organized crime seeking the extremely valuable rhino horn. In order to curb the poaching of his herds, Hume dehorns the rhino and has created a stockpile of more than 1,100 pounds of horn which are registered with the provincial government and microchipped to protect their security. These horns can grow back in approximately 4 to 5 years and Hume believes the legal sale of these horns would not only be sustainable but would further curb the appetite in the black market for illegally harvest horns and therefore reduce poaching incidents.

With rhino populations on the decline again due to over hunting, Hume is receiving a great deal of pressure from wildlife regulations and bureaucracy as well as animal welfare and rights activists.

2. What is the ethical dilemma?

Primary Dilemma:

Hume is faced with the decision to either increase his efforts to protect and grow the black rhino population or continue down his current path of preservation and risk the survival of the species. If Hume were to take the proactive approach and move toward additional protections for the black rhino, his business margins would likely shrink and profits decrease. Male black rhinos can be hostile toward younger male rhinos and commonly kill the youths they see as a threat. This would force Hume to portion his preserve and separate the black rhinos into small packs, unlike the large herds that white rhinos live. Taking these actions would add significant costs to Hume’s operation. The other side to the dilemma would be to continue the same farming practices but rely on the white rhino population for revenue as they are easier to raise and he would still hold one of the “Big 5” game for live animal purchase and/or hunting. In this instance the black rhino would be in jeopardy of extinction.

Additional Dilemma’s :

Other areas of ethical dilemma arise throughout the study. For instance, the simple idea of hunting an endangered species versus conservation and protection. Supporting an industry that kills animals for sport has been and will continue to be an area filled with controversy. Poaching becomes an issue that, depending on how Hume acts, could prevent or even eradicate the industry all together. This would be accomplished if Hume were to support and lobby for the legalization and regulation of the trade for rhino horns. However, another dilemma would arise the legalization of horn sale in the sense Hume could have a monopoly in the market given he has more than 1000 kg of sustainably harvested rhino horns in his possession.

3. What are the causes of this dilemma?

Over hunting of black rhinos, mainly illegally, severely depressed the population. Further, the policy prohibiting the legal and regulated sale of rhino horns has created a black market for poached horns. Hume, as a breeder and owner of one of the largest preserves in Africa is in a highly influential position. If he acts, other preserve owners, along with conservationist, will likely back his efforts.

4. Am I responsible for making a decision about this dilemma?

Yes, John Hume and his Mauricedale Game Ranch are responsible for making a decision about this dilemma. Although Hume is not the ultimate authority that has jurisdiction to change the practices, he has a unique position that can greatly influence the decision makers. Hume has been in the center of the endangered-rhino conservation effort and controversy since the 1990s. His lobbying power, regardless if its impetus stems from capitalism or conservatism, can lead to reforms in regulations, law, and hunting practices. This will have a direct effect on whether the populations continue to fall - or recover.

5. Who are the people most affected by a decision to resolve this dilemma (the key stakeholders)?

There are various key stakeholders that will be directly affected depending on the resolution of this dilemma. Primarily, the black rhinoceroses survival as a species will be at stake. If nothing is done, and they are continually poached - the populations will disappear in a short period of time. Secondly, John Hume will and Mauricedale Game Ranch. Hume will likely lose profits protecting the difficult black rhino, but he may prevent the inevitable targeting of the profitable white rhino, once the black population goes extinct. Local communities are directly tied in with the hunting industry in South Africa. More than 6,000 local jobs,