Estimates of annual revenues from a legal rhino horn trade vary widely depending on the amount sold and the price received. Notwithstanding, the sums are undoubtedly substantial. For example, one estimate suggests that South Africa alone could realize $1.68 billion (R27 billion) yearly in revenue flows. This would earn $482 million (R7,8 billion) for the government through taxation and $1,19 billion (R19.2 billion) for rhino owners.
3. COULD REVENUES FROM LEGAL SALES GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS FUNDING RHINO PROTECTION & CONSERVATION?
Photo credit: Shannon Wild
NO TRADE
The revenue potentially available for improved security from legal sales is impressive. However, there is little guarantee that it would be used for that purpose, given the pervasive and endemic corruption in South Africa and other rhino range states. This circumstance cannot be wished away as the revenues are too significant not to present a considerable temptation for theft, misappropriation, and misuse. For example, what would prevent the money from being absorbed into general government coffers, to be used not for wildlife but for other portfolios desperate for funds?
PRO TRADE
Currently, rhino owners (state and private) bear the total, unsustainable cost of rhino protection without any compensation—the only financial beneficiaries of rhino horn sales are the poaching and smuggling syndicates. If rhino horn stockpiles were fed into a legal market, the resultant income would go a long way towards providing improved protection for wild rhinos. Add to that the sustainable annual revenue from horn harvested from living rhinos, and even more money would be available for rhino conservation. By removing the high costs and security risks currently associated with maintaining stockpiles, a further substantial saving would accrue to the stockpile owners. This saving, too, would release funds into the security of living wild rhinos.
Rhino Review: No trade vs pro trade Question 3
Ross Harvey & Colin Bell
Rhino Review: No trade vs pro trade Question 3
John Hanks
