In the age of Viagra, you would think the market for rhinoceros horn would simply dry up. Demand for the rumoured aphrodisiac persists among followers of traditional Chinese medicine, where it’s believed (without substantiation) to treat a wide range of conditions, from fever and headaches to rheumatism. In Vietnam, the horns are a coveted symbol of wealth and status.

Rhino horn trafficking is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which turns 50 this year. There are five species of rhino, all at some degree of risk, including three that are critically endangered. With conservation efforts, white rhino populations are rebounding, but still near threatened. There are only about 27,000 rhinos left in the wild. The majority a

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