Conservationists have condemned the planned online auction of rhino horn from the stockpiles owned by game farmer John Hume.
Hume owns the largest rhino collection of more than 1 500 horns.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) director for southern Africa,Joseph Okori, said: “It is a sale based entirely on the greed of one man; plays into the hands of poachers and illegal wildlife traders; and ignores the fact that more than 7 000 rhinos have been brutally killed for their horns in less than 10 years, while countless brave rangers have also died trying to protect rhinoceros.
“Legalising the sale of rhino horn will not reduce demand. As long as a legal market exists, criminals will attempt to launder horns to reap the profits.”
The South African Department of Environmental Affairs released a progress report in July on the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros.
The report stated that 529 rhinos had been poached between January 1 and June 30 this year. The online auction will be followed by a live auction in mid-September.
Hume’s attorney and spokesperson, Izak du Toit, said: “The allegation of greed is false and it borders on slander. The objective fact is that John Hume has expended more of his own personal money than any other individual on Earth in his endeavours to protect, conserve and breed rhino.
“On the other hand, IFAW has probably collected more money than most other animal rights organisations in the world. IFAW actually benefits financially from the ongoing poaching scourge.
“The question is really this: if rhino poaching is reduced to a few animals per year (as it was before the rhino horn trade ban imposed in 2009), will IFAW still be able to collect as much money as they do today?”