Horn Trimming On The Ranch Of South African Rhino Breeder John Hume

UNSPECIFIED, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 16: Two armed guards stand for a photo at the ranch of rhino breeder John Hume on October 16, 2017 in the North West Province of South Africa. John Hume is currently the owner of around 1500 white and black rhinos, which he keeps under armed guard on his 8000 hectare property. In a bid to prevent poaching and conserve the different species of rhino, the horns of the animals are regularly trimmed, with 264 of the off-cuts recently being placed on sale at auction. The controversial decision to sell the horns was made on the basis that the illegal market creates an inflated value, while a controlled system would lower the prices and the need to poach. Mr Hume believes that the only way to ensure that the rhino does not become extinct is through farming the animals on a large scale and legalising the sale of rhino horn globally. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)