Controversial three-day South African sale condemned by conservationists, but seller says it was ‘successful’South Africa’s first online auction of rhinoceros horn – held amid outrage from conservationists – attracted fewer buyers than anticipated, lawyers for the organiser said on Saturday. Hume “has successfully concluded the world’s first legal online auction of rhinoceros horn,” his lawyers said in a statement, but gave no details. Hume, who owns 1,500 rhinos on his farm north of Johannesburg and has amassed six tonnes of rhino horn, eventually secured a permit for the auction. Illegal trade in rhino horn thriving in China, NGO investigation reveals Read moreBut the organisers blamed the delays for the subdued sales. Rhino horns are highly prized in Asia, where they were previously estimated to fetch up to $60,000 (50,000 euros) per kilo on the black market.

Source: The Guardian August 27, 2017 01:18 UTC