Namibia's desperate plea to lift the ban on rhino horn trade has been denied, leaving the country and its supporters in a challenging situation. But why is this issue so controversial?
Namibia's proposals to end the international trade restrictions on black and white rhino horns have sparked intense debate at a pivotal conservation conference. The vote, held at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) and concluded in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, has dealt a blow to Namibia's ambitions.
The country also sought to overturn the ban on African savanna elephant ivory, but this attempt was equally unsuccessful. The rhino horn trade proposals, in particular, have raised concerns due to Namibia's historical role in pioneering the practice of dehorning rhinos, starting in 1989, to deter poaching.
Dehorning, a practice followed by several southern African nations, involves removing the horns above the growth plate, similar to trimming nails, causing no pain to the animal. However, the horns regrow, requiring repeated sawing, leading to rapidly growing stockpiles of rhino horns in countries like Namibia and South Africa.
But here's where it gets controversial: Proponents of the trade argue that it could generate much-needed revenue for conservation efforts, especially for private rhino owners struggling with the costs of anti-poaching measures. Yet, critics fear that legalizing the trade will stimulate demand, resulting in a surge in poaching.
Rhino horns are highly valued in traditional Asian medicine and as status symbols in certain Asian countries. With black rhinos critically endangered and southern white rhinos near threatened, the situation is dire. Despite the ban on rhino horn trade since 1977, poaching continues, with over 8,000 rhinos lost in the last ten years, according to Save the Rhino International.
Namibia's recent record-high poaching numbers, with 87 rhinos killed in 2022, almost double the previous year, highlight the urgency of the issue. The country's proposals, though novel, echo similar efforts by other southern African nations in the past.
And this is the part most people miss: The stockpiles of rhino horns in Namibia and South Africa are staggering, estimated at 6.45 and 28 tonnes respectively, according to Taylor Tench, a senior wildlife policy analyst. These countries hope to profit from these stockpiles if international trade is ever legalized, a strategy that some find speculative and risky.
The debate continues, with experts and conservationists divided. Will legalizing the trade save rhinos or further endanger them? The answer remains elusive, leaving room for passionate discussions and differing opinions.
