Outraged conservationists say the three-day auction could undermine the global ban on rhino products, and the South African authorities had moved to ban the sale. (FILES) This file photo taken on February 3, 2016 shows cut off rhino horns being weighed and stored at John Hume's Rhino Ranch in Klerksdorp, in the North Western Province of South Africa. South Africa is home to around 20,000 rhinos, or about 80 per cent of the worldwide population, but in recent years the country has suffered record slaughters by poachers. But animal rights activists charge that the legal sale of rhino horns will only fuel poaching. Johan Van Eyk of Van's Auctioneers, who will conduct the auction, said no opening price for bids had been set, as this will be the first auction of rhino horns ever.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 21, 2017 12:45 UTC