AlHijjah 24, 1433, Nov 9, 2012, SPA -- A Thai national was sentenced on Friday in South Africa to 40 years in jail for smuggling rhino horns, with wildlife officials praising the court's decision saying it could help curb the illegal hunting of the endangered animal, dpa reported. South Africa is home to about 20,000 rhinos, approximately two thirds of the world's total population, and is facing a poaching scourge which gets worse by the year. So far in 2012, more than 500 have been killed in the country, a new record. "This is indeed a happy day for the conservation fraternity in South Africa and [I] hope it will serve as a deterrent to would be poachers of our heritage," said David Mabunda, head of the National Parks service. Chumlong Lemtongthai pleaded guilty earlier this week to a range of charges, including the illegal export of 26 horns and the employment of prostitutes who posed as hunters, so the syndicate could obtain the animal parts. The horns are often exported to Asian markets where they are used in unscientifically proven medicinal products. Lemtongthai was arrested along with five other suspects, though one turned state-witness and the others were released. -- SPA
