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The Economics of Wildlife Trade and Consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Rohan Prasad

    (Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA)

  • Gordon Rausser

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA)

  • David Zilberman

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA)

Abstract

The global wildlife trade dates to antiquity. Recently, its harms to endangered species, animal welfare, and public health have become critical to address. The complexities of the wildlife trade are numerous, including the fact that much of the economic activity is illegal and unobserved. We find that wildlife products are used for sustenance, signaling status, medicine, and entertainment. There is vast heterogeneity in products and species traded. Supply chains extend from biodiverse, low-income regions to richer countries or urban centers. Empirically, we use data findings from the literature to rank countries in terms of intensity of the wildlife trade and identify factors that contribute to wildlife trade. We also identify supply-side and demand-side interventions that can control abuse in wildlife trade. Innovative techniques for observation, econometric analysis, and enforcement are sorely needed to support effective policies to preserve the world's wildlife.

Suggested Citation

  • Rohan Prasad & Gordon Rausser & David Zilberman, 2022. "The Economics of Wildlife Trade and Consumption," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 14(1), pages 355-377, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:anr:reseco:v:14:y:2022:p:355-377
    DOI: 10.1146/annurev-resource-111920-010503
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    animal welfare; government policy; public health; shadow economies; supply chains; wildlife;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q31 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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