South Africa considers legalising rhino horn trade

Rhino poaching has reached record levels as the animals’ horns are prized in countries such as China and Vietnam, where they are kept as status symbols or used for traditional medicine.

On average, three rhinos are poached in South Africa each day for their horns.

The government is using drones, dogs and military tactics to try to stop the bloodshed.

But rhino breeders say that the “protection at all costs” approach is not working. They believe domestic trade should be allowed.

Wildlife campaigners, however, fear proposed changes could see illegal poachers export tonnes of the prized horn.

Al Jazeera’s Tania Page reports from Johannesburg.