Legal horn, illegal trade: What a seized shipment really reveals

In December 2025, South African authorities seized 17 rhino horns and more than 26kg of lion and tiger skulls and claws. Authorities arrested two Nigerians in this multi-agency operation. The shipment, bound for Singapore, was suspected of wildlife trafficking, but a closer look at the rhino horns seized tells an interesting story.

At first glance, the image accompanying this story showing a stack of rhino horns might look like yet another trophy haul from a poaching raid. But these horns came from legally dehorned rhinos, not from animals hacked down by poachers.

Ethical horn removal, or dehorning, is a carefully planned veterinary procedure. Qualified professionals dart the rhino, trim the horn, and monitor the animal throughout. The horn regrows over time. The horns are neatly removed, just like the image accompanying the seizure.

Poaching, by contrast, is violent and indiscriminate. Perpetrators remove horns quickly with axes or chainsaws, often shattering faces, sinuses and skulls. Even if a rhino survives, infection and trauma often follow. There is nothing ethical or harmless about the harsh reality of rhino being killed or injured for their horns. The horns in the image do not reflect poaching.

Across South Africa, private owners and conservation managers dehorn rhinos to protect them. Under domestic law, properly permitted dehorning and possession of rhino horn are legal. Permits ensure that horns are removed, documented, and stored safely, safeguarding both animal welfare and the species.

However, international trade remains prohibited under CITES. A recent landmark Northern Cape High Court decision in late 2025 might have ruffled some feathers when a private rhino owner successfully argued that sustainable exports of horn from captive bred animals should be permitted to help fund costly conservation work. The court found that existing CITES provisions permit such trade under specific conditions, a legal interpretation that could influence future debates about funding counterpoaching and protection measures.

South Africa’s rhinos face complex threats, but legal dehorning and careful management show that we can make a difference. With vigilance, collaboration, and respect for the species, it’s possible to protect these animals while giving conservation efforts the tools they need to succeed.

ThisWildEarth

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