JOHANNESBURG Rhino horn went on sale legally in South Africa in August for the first time after a court lifted a domestic trade ban in April. But many expect much of the horn to find its way to East Asia illegally, even though South Africa says it remains committed to a worldwide ban on international trading.
The first legal auction took place online from Aug. 23 to 25 after official permits were granted to John Hume, the country's largest private rhino breeder. An in-person auction is scheduled for Sept. 19. Hume advertised 264 horns online, weighing almost 500kg, but accused the Department of Environmental Affairs of causing intentional delays that hit his profits. A last-minute legal challenge by the DEA postponed Hume's first auction, after claims that his permit was issued by the wrong government official. However, on Aug. 20 the High Court in Pretoria ordered the DEA to issue a pre-approved permit.
