Incentives / Disincentives

Based on B.F Skinner’s theory of operant behaviour, incentives or disincentives can be imposed by law enforcers to change behaviours and in some cases attitudes.  It was suggested that behaviour is a learnt process in which an individual repeat or avoid behaviours based on the consequences. Consequences can be in the form of rewards (incentives) or punishments (disincentives). Rewards is found to increase frequency of behaviours that are deemed to be good.

In this case, it is difficult to impose incentives or disincentives on people. Because there are no standard measurements to observe the number of catches an individual hunts per day, it is almost impossible to reward. Incentives, in this case would be intangible ones such as feeling good about having done your part in saving the Saola or being praised for not setting up snares. This is only effective if the individual is concerned with this issue in the first place, hence this brings us back to the education approach whereby information on the Saola is given.

One obvious disincentive would be the fact that over hunting would result in a consequence that is not beneficial to the human population. This explains the tragedy of the commons as over hunting or even the destruction of natural habitat would deplete natural resources (animals and plants) which could be a main source of livelihood for many people.  In the Annamite region, the bush-meat trade is one main source of livelihood, therefore hunting activities are extensive is these areas. As mentioned, even though the Saola is not a targeted species, they are killed as a by-product of hunting efforts.

Another disincentives could occur in the form of issuing hunting licenses, some cost might be incurred in order to obtain this license. In addition, there are some prerequisites before they can obtain the hunting license, for instance in the US ( New York), one is required to pass one or more courses in order to obtain the license. However, it is important to establish that having this license does not give one the freedom to kill any animal. It is essential to impose rules to limit the areas where hunting is allowed and the animals that they can hunt for. In efforts to prevent the Saola from being killed accidentally, the use of snares and traps should be abolished too.