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This is a *** scene.
A rhino, robbed of it's life - all for a horn - which, if cut off the living animal will
grow back.
Last year one thousand three hundred and five rhinos, which are critically endangered, were
killed illegally in Africa.
The surge in demand comes from Asia, where the horns are used in traditional remedies.
Reports indicate the street value of the horns is around 45 thousand pounds per kilogram.
To counter this South Africa is going to look in to changing the current laws, which since
1977 has meant buying and selling rhino horns internationally is illegal.
If the global ban ends, a 1.4 billion pound market could be unlocked.
Opponets of the ban say because the horns grown back a properly monitored and legal
trade could help to save the rhino, with the money generated put towards greater conservation
work.
While the South African cabinet will decide whether to table lifting the ban this month
- it'll be up to the convention on international trade in endangered species to make the final
decision when they meet in Johannesburg in September and October this year.
If agreed - it could be a step that will help save the rhino.