The former owner of the world’s largest rhino conservation farm, John Hume, has been arrested on charges of smuggling the horns of endangered animals. The arrest follows a complex investigation into transnational trafficking of rhino horns that began in 2017. Hume was arrested along with five other individuals.
Hume owned the 7,800-hectare “Platinum Rhino” farm in South Africa’s North West province until it was bought by the African Parks NGO in 2023. The farm is home to around 2,000 animals, including 15% of the world’s remaining wild population of southern white rhino.
Investigations revealed allegations of fraud involving government officials who issued permits for over 964 rhino horns to be sold locally but were instead shipped to illegal markets in Southeast Asia. Hume and the others appeared before a magistrate in Pretoria and were granted bail.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250819-ex-owner-of-world-s-largest-rhino-farm-arrested-for-trafficking