Image from "Wild For Life"
I have had a strong passion for animals for as long as I can remember. My parents really had to accept this when the "I love horses" stage every little girl has, didn't end at age ten. I've always been fascinated with all animals, big and small, and have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was old enough to know what one was. This is still true today and my hope is to attend NC State's Veterinary School for graduate school, after I get my undergraduate degree in Animal Science. When we were assigned to pick a topic to do research on, I knew it needed to be on something I was passionate about: conservation and exotic animal species. I've never been afraid of animals, even the scarily large ones, as pictured in the photos below, so I wanted to tackle a topic as large and as scary as rhino poaching in South Africa. I was already educated about the subject a little before we began, which was helpful in knowing what exactly I needed to research. Through this research process I have developed a stronger interest in rhinoceroses and am thinking I may want to work with them in the future, as a veterinarian, or otherwise.
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Taken by me in Barbados. One of the best moments of my life.
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Prior to beginning my research, I hypothesized that the domestic ban being lifted would increase the amount of poaching and illegal international trade. As I continued the research, I found that my hypothesis proved to be correct and eventually morphed into my final thesis. I continued to find reason after reason for why lifting the ban was a bad idea. As I looked into the opposition's claim, I struggled with my stance on the argument because I became conflicted about who I believed to be correct. I soon realized the opposition had no evidence to support their claims, and if they did, it was merely circumstantial. Pulling evidence to argue my claim wasn't as easy as I would have liked it to be either. Being how the ban was lifted so recently, solid statistics on poaching and illegal trade won't be available until next year at the earliest. So, like the opposition, I also couldn't prove that lifting the ban did any more damage than normal. A lot of my argument and statistics were taken from credible conservationists and personnel who had experience in this feild, and what their predictions were.
I faced challenges with my research in the respect that because the issue is so taboo, not many sources provided current, extensive information on the subject. A lot of my essay contains educated predictions on what will occur with the rhinos and poaching. Logic was a big factor as well because it seems to make sense that if trade is allowed, demand will increase, but the opposition didn't seem to comprehend this simple economic principle. There are currently no new updates regarding the matter because I believe that it will take concrete results, that may not be available for a while, to bring awareness to the mistake of legalizing domestic trade. By then, I fear it will be too late.