South Africa proposes legalising trade in rhino horn Posted on 19 July 2013 Photo by Nick du Plessis According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa will propose the legalisation of trade in rhino horn at the Conventional on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2016. This will only legalise a once-off trade in current rhino horn stockpiles, rather than a continuing industry. Supporters of this proposal say that by flooding the market with cheap rhino horn, the syndicates currently supplying East Asia will lose much of the value of their illegally-obtained rhino horn, thus making the venture unprofitable. In addition to this, the huge injection of money (estimated to be at least half a billion dollars) gained from current stockpiles could be funnelled into current rhino protection, further reducing the ability of illegal rhino poachers to continue their attacks. Naturally, the proposal has its opponents. One of these is CEO of WildAid, Peter Knight, who refers to a similar case in 2008, when the once-off sale of stockpiled elephant ivory to China and Japan was legalised. This was ultimately a failure, resulting in escalating illegal poaching. He says, “Legitimizing and promoting demand for rhino horn would inevitably create a far larger consumer base and once this genie is out we could never re-cork the bottle if the experiment went wrong.” John R. Platt of the Scientific American is also in opposition, pointing out that “any legal rhino horn market only supports the misconception that this keratinous body part has medicinal qualities.” What do you think? Read more: six simple ways to help fight rhino poaching Read the original release from the Department of Environmental Affairs Related Posts Extinct & Endangered: world’s rarest insects captured in microscopic detail 16 March 2023 A collaboration between photographer, Levon Biss, and the American Museum of Natural History featured photos... read more Dutch tech company develops AI-powered anti-poaching camera 2 March 2023 EWT successfully challenges classification of wild animals as livestock 23 February 2023 Several previously classified animals as “landrace” breeds and managed as livestock will soon have their... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
Extinct & Endangered: world’s rarest insects captured in microscopic detail 16 March 2023 A collaboration between photographer, Levon Biss, and the American Museum of Natural History featured photos... read more
EWT successfully challenges classification of wild animals as livestock 23 February 2023 Several previously classified animals as “landrace” breeds and managed as livestock will soon have their... read more