What Influences the Poaching of Wildlife? A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11275642 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bigyan Acharya (University of Central Florida, corresponding author), William D Moreto (0000-0003-4221-929X, University of Central Florida), Craig J Forsyth (0000-0002-7636-8106, University of Louisiana) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1-17 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Deviant Behavior (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/01639625.2026.2653638 |
| OpenAlex | W7147088089 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 70 |
The illegal hunting, taking, and killing of wild fauna and flora have received increased attention from criminologists in recent years. Much of this literature has centered on understanding the factors that motivate and incentivize individuals to engage in such acts. This study examined the existing literature that has qualitatively explored terrestrial poaching drivers and motivations to identify commonalities and differences. Additionally, operating from a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, we developed overarching themes to identify a comprehensive poaching typology for both wild fauna and flora. Our analysis of the 25 studies included in our QMS identified eight distinct themes contributing to poaching. Through analytical synthesis, these eight themes were subsequently categorized into two broad groups: motivating factors and facilitating conditions. Our study highlights the value of conducting QMS to synthesize and guide future research on poaching, while also providing an avenue to identify potential mechanisms useful in responding to poaching activities.
Poaching · Poison control · Qualitative analysis · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
The political culture of poaching
What Is Conservation Science?
Meta‐synthesis method for qualitative research
PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration
Differentiating criminal networks in the illegal wildlife trade
Applying Crime Pattern Theory and Risk Terrain Modeling to Examine Environmental Crime in Cambodia
Community-Based ecotourism and bushmeat consumption dynamics
Wildlife Trade
Understanding utilitarian and hedonic values determining the demand for rhino horn in Vietnam
Accounts of Wildlife Law Violators
What is driving the increased demand for red panda pelts
Community-based natural resource management
Mapping Attitudes on Illegal Wildlife Trade
An overview of seized illegal wildlife entering the United States
Meta-Analysis and Meta-Synthesis Methodologies
Illegal harvest of renewable natural resources in North America
The game of poaching
On the role of women in bushmeat hunting – Insights from Tanzania and Ethiopia
(De)legitimising hunting – Discourses over the morality of hunting in Europe and eastern Africa
Guardians of the National Parks
Such Misconducts Don’t Make a Good Ranger’
Nested complex crime
Corruption within the Illegal Wildlife Trade
Anything We Do, We Have to Include the Communities’
Wildlife Crime in the Game Reserves of South Africa
Poaching, Social Conflict, and the Public Trust
Mapping Restorative Justice for Green Crime Offenders
Hunting Is Our Heritage; We Commit No Offence
Poaching in Uganda
Trophy Poaching
Thrills and skills
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |