Nature Crime: How We're Getting Conservation Wrong

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In this impressively researched, alarming book, Rosaleen Duffy investigates the world of nature conservation, arguing that the West's attitude to endangered wildlife is shallow, self-contradictory, and ultimately very damaging. Analyzing the workings of the black-market wildlife industry, Duffy points out that illegal trading is often the direct result of Western consumer desires, from coltan for cellular phones to exotic meats sold in London street markets. She looks at the role of ecotourism, showing how Western travelers contribute--often unwittingly--to the destruction of natural environments. Most strikingly, she argues that the imperatives of Western-style conservation often result in serious injustice to local people, who are branded as "problems" and subject to severe restrictions on their way of life and even extrajudicial killings.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Acknowledgements (p. vi)
• List of Illustrations (p. ix)
• List of Abbreviations (p. xi)
• Introduction (p. 1)
• Chapter 1 The International Wildlife Trade (p. 15)
• Chapter 2 Global Action, Local Costs (p. 45)
• Chapter 3 Wildlife Wars: Poaching and Anti-Poaching (p. 79)
• Chapter 4 Rhino Horn, Ivory and the Trade Ban Controversy (p. 113)
• Chapter 5 Guerrillas to Gorillas: Blood Diamonds and Coltan (p. 155)
• Chapter 6 Tourist Saviours (p. 187)
• Conclusion (p. 217)
• Notes (p. 225)
• Bibliography (p. 243)
• Index (p. 253)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

In this heavily researched work, Duffy (Center for International Politics, Manchester Univ., UK) draws on 15 years of personal experience, interviews, and fieldwork to provide an intriguing, informative examination of the often-overlooked complexities that encompass conservation efforts. She pulls readers from simple "good versus evil" conceptions and paints a broader picture that reveals the many issues involved, and why some efforts have had little success. Through several studies, she demonstrates how "wealthy" lifestyle preferences contribute to the decimation of wildlife habitats and continue to promote illegal trade. She examines the hostilities that arise between local communities and conservationists and why poaching and the black market remain so prevalent. Duffy also exposes consumption as the key problem that many scientists overlook and why current practices of enforcement and regulation are counterproductive. Although repetitious, the points made are well constructed and contain examples that will open readers' minds to new perspectives on conservation. This is a must read for conservationists, as it firmly demonstrates how the field is tied to several interconnected issues and adds more to the debate on determining truly good and sustainable conservation methods that will benefit all--people, animals, and habitats. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels of readership. K. K. Goldbeck Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University