South Africa lifts ban on domestic rhino horn trade

Conservation groups have condemned South Africa's decision to lift a ban on the domestic trade of rhino horn.

The ruling by the constitutional court, which dismissed a government appeal to keep the moratorium in place, means anyone with a permit can buy and sell rhino horns inside the country.

South Africa banned rhino trade in 2009 following an increase in poaching and conservationists fear legalising the domestic trade will lead to it rising again.

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Morgan Griffiths, of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, told National Geographic magazine that poachers will "use the significant loopholes to cater to the increased demand for horn in the Far East".

She added: "These regulations are to appease the private rhino owners and [the Department of Environmental Affairs], who want to be able to sell horn on the international market."

However, the news delighted breeders, who argue it could reduce the illegal slaughtering as the horns could be removed from anaesthetised animals.

"We are absolutely delighted at the ruling by the constitutional court," Pelham Jones, chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Association told AFP.

Rhino poaching has skyrocketed in the past decade following an increase in demand for horns from Vietnam and China, where they are used in traditional medicine and valuable carvings.

South Africa is home to 70 per cent of the world's 29,500 rhinos. Last year, poachers killed 1,054 of the animals compared to only 13 in 2007.

International trade of rhino horn remains illegal.