South Africa studies legalising rhino horn trade

South Africa may consider legalising trade in rhino horns, as part of a study into combatting rampant poaching, local media said Monday, citing the environment ministry. "The terms of reference for the study have been published and a service provider will be appointed shortly," the ministry's spokesman Albi Modise told the African Eye News Service. Rhino horns fetch up to $500,000 a piece on the lucrative Asian black market, according to the UN wildlife trade regulator, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Demand for rhino horn has soared amid a popular belief in Vietnam that it can be used to cure cancer. Trade in rhino horn is regulated by CITES. South Africa currently allows the export of horns only as hunting trophies. Authorities will do market research into global markets of the trade, said Modise. Government rhino horn stockpiles could be sold to fund rhino conservation efforts, he added. South Africa lost 333 rhinos to poaching last year and has lost 309 so far this year, up from 13 in 2007. Police and parks officials say the increase has been driven by organised poaching syndicates. South Africa and Vietnam last week launched talks toward an agreement to curb rhino poaching.