Rhino rancher John Hume has a horn stockpile of about five tons. The stash could fetch about $275-million (R4-billion) or more. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Kim Ludbrook)  Less

John Hume, owner of the world’s largest private rhino population, put his Mpumalanga nature estate up for auction in a bid to raise badly needed cash to maintain his herd. The auction was a flop and time may not be on his side, raising an unusual question: what to do with more than 1,700 white rhinos?

John Hume, a proud owner of more than 1,700 white rhinos, put his 6,600ha Mauricedale Nature Estate, south of the Kruger National Park, up for sale. Hume, who for more than two decades has built up the world’s largest privately-owned population of rhinos, says he needs to raise capital to maintain his breeding operation. But the auction on Wednesday…