Poaching of Domestic Protected Species in China: Using Legal Cases to Understand the Poaching of Wild Boars

The illegal hunting and trading of protected species is a global issue. While China is often discussed in general terms as a destination country for protected species, the sociological and criminological discussion of poaching within China remains underdeveloped. This study discusses the targets, modus operandi, and drivers of poaching in China. Based on the analysis of 245 published Chinese cases, this study discovered that 115 unique species have been targeted in China, with wild boar being the most common target. Most boar poaching was driven by a desire for meat, and hunting occurred in both protected and non-protected areas. Most poachers do not actively pursue wild boars with weapons but prefer to lay homemade traps. The study concludes with a discussion of how prevention efforts can draw on data such as these and suggests avenues for further research.