We have to legalise trade in rhino horn: John Hume at TEDxJohannesburg

John Hume owns over 900 rhino. Sadly, he has personally lost 12 to poaching. As a farmer and conservator, he makes the seemingly counter-intuitive argument that legalising trade in rhino horn is the only way we can stop rampant poaching and reverse the rapidly dwindling numbers in rhino populations. Cutting off supply to the markets, he contends, will not have the intended effect of reducing demand. Instead, it will merely be replaced by increased vigour in poaching and further unnecessary loss of life amongst rhino populations.

John Hume’s passion and mission in life is to save the rhino species from extinction. He is the biggest private breeder of rhinos in the world, with almost 900 animals on his properties. Given the current poaching crisis, John believes the only way to save the rhino is by legalising trade in its sought-after horn.

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