The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) on Friday said it was “taken aback at the judgement which lifted the domestic ban on rhino horn trade”. The animal welfare organisation said in a statement: “The extreme cruelty involved in poaching for rhino horns is unacceptable and must be stopped‚ not implicitly condoned.”This followed Judge Frans Legodi’s judgement in the high court in Pretoria which saw two game owners winning their battle against the government’s moratorium on the trade in rhino horn.Legodi said he did not anticipate disastrous implications if the moratorium was lifted‚ with immediate effect.The NSPCA‚ However‚ said: “We fear that if this judgement stands‚ a further consequence will be our rhino will become farmed animals‚ as has already taken place in South Africa with crocodiles and lions.“When wildlife become intensively managed farmed animals‚ serious welfare concerns arise.”The organisation’s concern was that farmer may turn to “unethical practices” to increase profits‚ including: confining animals‚ feeding them unnatural diets‚ physically altering or maiming animals to prevent them from injuring one another‚ and supplementing feed with antibiotics and other growth supplements.“Above all‚ rhino are wild animals‚” said the NSPCA.“Rhino are not domesticated. They do not seek solace from being near to humans. Captivity‚ confinement and manipulation are foreign and very stressful to them.”The manager of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit‚ Isabel Wentzel‚ said: “By opening the gate for domestic trade‚ are we literally closing the gate behind wild rhinos?”The NSPCA said legalising the trade will see rhino horn “promoted as a cure for various conditions‚ an act which is irresponsible‚ unethical and a threat to the survival of rhino populations and the welfare of those in captivity”.“South Africa cannot control the domestic trade or prevent it from leaking onto the international market and facilitated horn laundering.“Legalising domestic trade will undoubtedly allow operations at lower costs yet this trade is not sustainable and is unlikely to reduce poaching. The risk is that the legal trade will stimulate demand and increase poaching.”..