Open AccessThe Allure of the Illegal: Choice Modeling of Rhino Horn Demand in Vietnam
Author(s) -
Hanley Nick,
Sheremet Oleg,
Bozzola Martina,
MacMillan Douglas C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12417
Subject(s) - french horn , poaching , business , product (mathematics) , natural resource economics , international trade , willingness to pay , wildlife trade , economics , microeconomics , ecology , wildlife , biology , psychology , pedagogy , geometry , mathematics
Using choice modeling, we explore willingness to pay for rhino horn among existing and potential future consumers in Vietnam. We find that wild‐sourced horn, harvested humanely from the least rare species, is the most highly valued product. Furthermore, consumers are willing to pay less for rhino horn products under a scenario where international trade is legalized compared to the current situation of illegal trade. We discuss the potential implications of our findings on rhino poaching and international trade policy.