Legal rhino horn trade rejected

THE South African government has opted to abandon its proposal to lift the global ban on international rhino horn trade as the world celebrates Earth Day, a global movement launched in 1970, aimed at facilitating environmental protection.

Glenashley-based animal activist, Mariana Fernandes, who is a core strategist for The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos (GMFER) organisation, said they were excited and thrilled by the news. However, they remain ‘cautiously optimistic’ of the latest announcement.

Last year, GMFER organised a ‘Twitter storm’ to vocalise opposition against the proposal. Fernandes and fellow activists maintain that by legalising the trade, it will only increase the demand for rhino horn, falsely believed to hold medicinal powers.

“The fact that they have withdrawn the proposal is a huge step towards saving our rhinos. However, they have also opted to continue stockpiling the horns, which is a concern. Ideally we would like to see them destroyed. If they can do that we will know that they are serious about removing rhino horn from the market,” she said.

It is estimated that 270 rhinos have already been killed this year, 45 of which were killed in KwaZulu-Natal alone, she said. “Compared to 2007 when only a dozen rhinos were killed, the numbers have increased drastically,” added Fernandes.

Jeff Radebe, the minister of planning, monitoring and evaluation, announced yesterday that the government would no longer lobby to legalise the trade of rhino horn at the next major meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the body that regulates the worldwide wildlife trade.

This follows a recommendation made by the committee of inquiry appointed to review and advise on the feasibility of the proposal.

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