Legalising rhino horn sales is a thorny issue

The story of rhino breeder John Hume raises a number of difficult issues. He has been breeding rhinos for more than 27 years and currently has more than 1,700 of them on his property near Klerksdorp … more than remain in the Kruger National Park.

He may have to close down the operation because it has become unaffordable. He is unable to sell the rhino horn, which he regularly harvests, to fund the programme.

There are many – including conservation organisations who make their living from raising donations to save rhinos – who are vehemently opposed to legalising the trade in rhino horn. They argue that this could stimulate more demand – and more poaching. A better way, they say, to preserve rhinos is by reducing demand for horn in places like the East.

What is manifestly apparent is that the ban on rhino horn sales hasn’t done anything to stop the trade … and has probably accelerated it and the wholesale slaughter of the animals.

In much of southern Africa our policies on wildlife are being dictated by foreign animal welfare organisations, to the detriment of our own people.

Perhaps we need a rethink on legalising rhino horn sales and be allowed to chart our own destiny.

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