Is rhino horn more valuable than gold?

What is a rhinos horn worth?

The World Animal Foundation said that on average, a rhino horn is worth $60,000 per pound in Asia. In other words, a rhino’s horn is more valuable than gold, diamonds and cocaine.

Why rhino horn is so costly?

– Actually, there is keratin in the horn of a rhinoceros. The cost of this keratin is very high, it is much more than gold. Because of this keratin, rhino horns are sold at an expensive price and many rhinos are hunted for this.

How much is a pound of rhino horn worth?

Hunters kill rhinos and saw off their horns, which are incredibly valuable in the underground market, selling for roughly $4,000 to $8,000 per pound, raw, according to one 2019 report. Many horns, which can weigh several pounds each, are sold in China, Vietnam, and other East Asian countries.

Can I sell a rhino horn?

Trade in rhino horn is illegal in most countries, but the black market value of one kilogram is said to be USD 100,000—more than the price of platinum. The astronomical price of rhino horn is driven by demand in Asia that has fuelled the current epidemic of rhino poaching in South Africa.

Who buys rhino horns?

Vietnam is one of the world’s largest consumers of rhino horn, contributing to the continued poaching of rhinos in the wild.

How much is a rhino horn worth in South Africa?

Rhino horn is valued at $60,000 per kilogram on the black market – more than its weight in gold.

What is the benefit of rhino horn?

The people we interviewed said that they used rhino horn to treat various ailments including hangovers, fever, gout and potentially terminal illnesses, like cancer or stroke. Some people also gave it to terminally ill relatives to console them and show that they had done everything in their power to help them.

Why do people want rhino horns?

Rhino poaching is being driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, particularly China and Viet Nam. Rhino horn is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but increasingly common is its use as a status symbol to display success and wealth.

Do rhino horns grow back?

Horns grow back over time, with recent studies claiming that the re-growth of dehorned rhino horn appears faster than growth in non-dehorned rhinos. With the current severe poaching threat, experts recommend that rhinos should ideally be dehorned every 12-24 months in order to be an effective deterrent.

Who buys rhino ivory?

– 41% of those who admitted to buying or consuming rhino horn were buyers only. The majority of these buyers acquire rhino horn for their family, including parents or spouse. – 39% of those who admitted to buying or consuming rhino horn were consumers only.

Are rhino horns ivory?

Are rhino horns made of ivory? No, rhino horns are made of keratin—the same substance found in human hair and nails. Although they are not ivory, rhinos are still poached for their horns.

Why do Chinese eat rhino horn?

Rhino horn is used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pharmacotherapy (herbal decoctions for treating illness or promote health by restoring holistic balance), mainly to dispel heat, detoxify and cool the blood, and treat febrile diseases (Cheung et al., 2018a, 2020a).

Are rhino horns legal to trade?

International rhino horn trade has been banned since 1977, which was followed by a decrease in rhino poaching rate at first (Ayling, 2013).

Are rhino horns legal?

The international trade in rhino horn, regulated by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), has been banned since 1977.

Do rhinos sharpen their horns?

The outside of the horn is rather soft and can be worn down or sharpened after years of use, according to the San Diego Zoo. If a horn breaks off, it can gradually grow back.