 Reference Base  Rhinoceros in South and South West Africa. Proceedings o... |
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Mundy, P.J., 1984. Rhinoceros in South and South West Africa. Proceedings of a Workshop held at Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Bophuthatswana, 15 and 16 February 1984. Johannesburg, Endangered Wildlife Trust, pp. 1-25
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| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Trade |
| Species: |
All Rhino Species |
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In the years 1972 - 78 eight tonnes p.a. of rhino horn entered the world market. 40% of which went to North Yemen. Most of the horn was African. The rhino horn in North Yemen is used to make dagger handles and produces 60% wastage in the process. The wastage, as shavings, is exported to Eastern Asia for $ 300 per kilo. The Southeast Asian trade amounted to 60%, in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore etc. About the only major Asian country not using horn is Sri Lanka. Arab countries (except North Yemen) do not use rhino horn either.
In August 1982, North Yemen prohibited the import of rhino horn, but the law has had no effect - now, 50% of the world trade goes there. However, substitutes are being used for dagger handles, such that less than 10% handles are rhino horn. North Yemenis also believe that rhino horn can suck out snake poison. All of the horn for the North Yemen in the last year or so comes from Khartoum. From July 1983, the price in Khartoum has risen by 40%, and poaching has therefore increased again in East Africa. Some of the authorities in Khartoum and Sanaa are corrupt - dealers simply bribe the Sanaa customs. As the North Yemeni government has a huge problem with the smuggling of liquor, cars, petrol etc., rhino horn falls far down the list of priorities!
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