Hume has stockpiled six tonnes of rhino horns and wants to sell 264 pieces weighing a total of 500 kilogrammes (1,100 pounds). Activists opposed to the sale fear it will fuel trafficking and undermine a 40-year global ban on the rhino trade. The divisive sale comes after South Africa's top court lifted an eight-year moratorium on the domestic trade of rhino horns in April. South Africa is home to around 20,000 rhinos, or about 80 per cent of the worldwide population, but in recent years the country has suffered record slaughter by poachers. Rhino horns are highly prized in Asia, where they are estimated to fetch up to $60,000 (50,000 euros) a kilo ($27,250.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 23, 2017 04:07 UTC