South Africa's Rhino Horn Stockpile

Questions and Answers

As a cure for cancer

As a pain reliever

As an aphrodisiac (correct)

As a fever reducer

Because it is an expensive procedure

Because it is a time-consuming process

Because the horn will grow back

Because the financial reward to the poacher is not completely eliminated (correct)

Fewer than 23,000 (correct)

Fewer than 50,000

Fewer than 10,000

Fewer than 100,000

As a status symbol Signup and view all the answers

449 Signup and view all the answers

To reduce the poaching risk Signup and view all the answers

Between US$10,694/kg and US$22,257/kg Signup and view all the answers

Because rhino horn has been diverted into the illegal global wildlife trade Signup and view all the answers

To trace the origin of the rhino horn Signup and view all the answers

To destroy the rhino horn stockpiles Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rhino horn is not unique in terms of its biochemistry, similar to other mammal horns, hooves, and hair
Despite the 1977 global ban, rhino horn is illegally trafficked from Africa to Asia (mainly China and Vietnam) for use as a status symbol, in traditional Chinese medicine, and as an aphrodisiac
Three Asiatic rhino species are near extinction, making African rhino (black and white) the main source of rhino horn

Rhino are poached (killed) for their horn, leading to 449 rhino deaths in 2023 alone
Rhinos can be protected by guarding, relocating to lower-risk areas, or dehorning under anesthesia
Dehorning reduces the financial reward for poachers, but data on its effectiveness is limited and results are mixed
Rhino horns grow back, requiring regular dehorning to reduce poaching risk

Stockpiles consist of harvested horns, natural deaths, and confiscated horns, stored by rhino owners, investors, and the government
In 2020, the South African government stockpile was 27,641kg, with 47,544kg in private hands
The stockpiled horn is supposed to be stored securely to prevent theft and illegal sale
Rhino horn can be traded legally within South Africa, but there is no local demand

Stockpiling rhino horn is motivated by hope for a future international legal market, which would provide financial rewards
The South African government lobbied to lift the international ban on trade in 2016, but the ban was upheld
The stockpile contributes to the illegal wildlife trade, with stolen horns finding their way to the black market
Seizures of illegal shipments have been traced back to South African stockpiles
Destroying the stockpile would signal a commitment to no-trade and demonstrate the worthlessness of rhino horn as a commodity