Would You Kill a Rhino for £50,000?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 🦏 Would You Kill a Rhino for £50,000? — The South African Rhino Poaching Trade Would you kill a rhino for £50,000? Easy answer, right? But what if that amount of money could completely transform the life of you and your family? In this episode of Educate a Mate, we dive into the brutal and complicated world of rhino poaching in South Africa — looking beyond the headlines to understand why the illegal trade exists, who profits from it and why stopping it isn't as simple as catching the person holding the gun. We explore the demand for rhino horn, the international illegal wildlife trade, organised criminal networks, anti-poaching operations and the extraordinary lengths conservationists go to in an attempt to protect the animals. But we also look at the human side. What happens when extreme poverty exists alongside wildlife worth enormous sums on the black market? Who actually makes the money from a poached rhino? Why does demand for rhino horn continue? And can conservation succeed without the support of the communities living alongside these animals? It's a story involving wildlife conservation, money, inequality, organised crime and human behaviour — with a prehistoric-looking animal stuck right in the middle of it. The question might start with “Would you kill a rhino for £50,000?” By the end, you might realise the real problem is much bigger than that. 🎧 Follow/subscribe to Educate a Mate for more deep dives into wildlife, conservation, science, history and the complicated stories hiding behind the headlines. Listener Notice: This episode discusses wildlife poaching, animal death, organised crime and other themes some listeners may find upsetting. It may also contain strong language, swearing and informal expressions used for emphasis and natural conversation. Views and opinions shared by hosts or guests are for discussion and educational purposes and do not replace professional advice where applicable. Learn something. Share something. Educate a mate. 📧 Contact: educateamatepodcast@gmail.com