South African rhino conservationist John Hume auctioned off 2,000 rhinos on 8,000 hectares of land this week, after a 30-year battle against poaching.
John Hume, an ex-businessman, said he has spent $150 million on his ambitious rhino conservation project over 30 years. However, he is now running out of money.
The sale involves animals, land, machinery, and a stockpile of ten tonnes of rhino horns.
According to Mr. Hume, these veterinarian-cut, life-saving horns should be used to fund the conservation of the species by selling them on a legal market.
South Africa, which has become a poaching ground, is home to nearly 80% of the world’s rhino population.
This poaching is driven by the growing need in Asia for horns to be used in traditional medicine.
The price per kilo of the horns is as high as USD 60,000 per kilo. Despite the government’s anti-poaching measures in national parks, thieves are now targeting less vulnerable private parks.