South Africa’s ban on rhino horn has been overturned
The South African Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed the government’s bid to uphold a 7-year ban of the local trade of rhino horn.
According to a report by Reuters, Pelham Jones, chairman of South Africa’s Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA) estimated that its members have around 6 tonnes of rhino horn, and reckons the state has close to 25 tonnes.
The combined 31 tonnes is estimated to be worth as much as R31.5 billion.
Approximately 5,000 rhinos are in private hands- about a quarter of the country’s rhino population. Rhino horn can be harvested as it grows back and it can be removed from a tranquilised animal, Reuters said.
Supporters of rhino horn trade say the money earned could be used for conservation and to pay for security.
Opponents say that legal trade could tempt poachers who kill rhinos to launder their “blood” horns with clean supplies.
Thousands of South African rhinos have been slain in recent years to meet demand for the horn in Asian countries, where buyers consider it an aphrodisiac, a cure for cancer or treatment for hangovers.
The ruling has no impact on the status of international trade in rhino horn, which remains illegal.
Domestic trade in rhino horn was banned in 2009, which was challenged by rhino owners in court in 2015.
Buyers and sellers of the commodity need to get permits to trade.
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