U of W business student examines illegal rhino horn trade in Africa
As a second-year business student at the University of Windsor, Kara Kristof was tasked to do a study on illegal trading.
Nothing too out of the ordinary at first blush, until Kristof learned her business ethics professor, Kent Walker, wanted her to delve into the complex world surrounding the illegal trade of rhinoceros horn in Africa.
“Honestly, when he first put out the idea I was a little confused,” the 19-year-old said.
“I was thinking what does this have to do with business and how is it going to help me?”
Walker was looking to challenge Kristof, who is part of an outstanding scholars’ program at the university.
“She has a high GPA, she’s sharp and self motivated,” he said.
“I was somewhat following the rhino trade and I thought this would be a neat story.” Kristof now agrees. “I can’t tell you how much this project helped me,” she said.
“It helped me learn how to research and how to write a case. I gained confidence in my writing abilities and I learned so much about myself on a personal and academic level.”
Kristof took a close look at the precarious state of the black rhino, critically endangered with fewer than 5,000 left on earth.
In cutting the horn off, poachers often kill the animal.
She discovered if present levels of poaching continue, the beast will be extinct by 2020.
Rhino horn can fetch $86,000 per kilogram on the black market because of widely held beliefs in certain Asian countries about its medicinal properties ranging from curing fevers, hangovers and cancer to acting as an aphrodisiac.
Even though those attributes have been debunked, poaching persists.
Walker suggested Kristof examine the prospect of legalizing a controlled cultivation of rhino horn, noting the parallels to Canada’s soon to be legalization of marijuana.
She found proponents of legalization but pitfalls regarding oversight and controls.
“It’s a huge issue and they’re really struggling to find a solution,” she said.
She discovered the hated poachers are actually regarded as modern day Robin Hoods because the money they bring back to their communities is often used for the benefit of all.
Kristof presented her case study along with Walker at the 2017 conference for the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada held this past spring in Montreal. Walker said she acquitted herself quite well on a stage generally reserved for masters’ students.
Kristof valued the feedback and will make appropriate changes to her business case in anticipation of publishing her work down the road.