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High Court rules in favour of sustainable rhino horn trade for conservation

Legal victory for private rhino breeders and conservationists

By Andries van Zyl • 6 November 2025
High Court rules in favour of sustainable rhino horn trade for conservation

A South African court ruled that sustainably harvested rhino horn from captive-bred animals can be internationally traded, a victory for conservators funding protection. This potentially boosts rhino conservation and challenges government opposition to private breeders.

In a landmark judgment delivered on 31 October 2025, the High Court of South Africa (Northern Cape Division, Kimberley) ruled in favour of rhino conservator Hendrick (Wicus) Diedericks, ordering the provincial environmental authority to reconsider issuing permits for the international trade of sustainably harvested rhino horn.

The ruling could have far-reaching implications for private rhino breeders and conservationists across South Africa. Diedericks, who operates a registered “non-co...

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