South Africa’s constitutional court has rejected an attempt by the government to keep a ban on the domestic trade in rhino horns.<\/p>\n
The ruling that the application be dismissed means that rhino horns can effectively be traded in the country.<\/p>\n
Rhino breeders argue that legalising the trade could cut the number of rhinos slaughtered as horns can be sawn off anaesthetised live animals.<\/p>\n
However many conservationists disagree with the proposed policy.<\/p>\n
The department of environmental affairs said authorities were still considering the implications of Wednesday’s judgment.<\/p>\n
“It is important to note that permits are required to sell or buy rhino horn,” the department’s spokesman, Albie Modise, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The ruling only applies to the industry in South Africa as a ban on international trade remains in force.<\/p>\n
Rhino breeders who have argued that open trade is the only way to prevent widespread slaughter of the animal welcomed the ruling.<\/p>\n
“We are absolutely delighted at the ruling by the constitutional court,” Pelham Jones, chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA), told AFP news agency.<\/p>\n
Breeders also argue that the process is not permanent as the horns grow back.<\/p>\n
The Helping Rhinos organisation however tweeted<\/a> that the ruling was “disastrous”.<\/p>\n South Africa is thought to be home to around 20,000 rhinos, around 80% of the worldwide population. More than 1,000 rhino were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2016.<\/p>\n Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"