Samenvatting

Developing effective anti-poaching strategies is difficult because of complex interactions between animals, poachers, and rangers. This study shows the utility of agent-based models (ABM) for unraveling these interactions, and their underlying mechanisms, to identify relevant components for planning ranger operations. Here, two patrol strategies were simulated using an ABM for wildlife crime to quantify their effectiveness under different circumstances. The model showed border patrols to be more effective than search patrols in protecting both solitary and herd animals. Furthermore, the model suggests that rangers catch fewer poachers when patrols are overly focused on locations where poaching was detected previously. The study illustrates that disciplined model development and testing is required for useful conclusions to be drawn, from a fully understood ABM.