Rhino poaching: supply and demand uncertain

In their policy forum “legal Trade Of Africa’s Rhino Horns” (1 March, p. 1038), D. Biggs et al. point out that the trade ban on rhino horn has not been successful in reducing rhino poaching, which reached a record high of 668 in 2012. They argue that trade bans sup-port illegal organizations, whereas a regulated legal market could reduce poaching effort and provide much-needed income for conservation. In making their case, Biggs et al. overlook a few important points.