A rhino head was stolen from the Educational Museum in Haslemere, Surrey, on 27 May, and police believe the crime may be linked to a series of similar thefts across Europe, it has been reported.

The rhino head was the only item stolen from the museum, which houses over 240,000 natural history specimens, along with over 140,000 human history artefacts from around the world.

Det Con Dave Pellatt of Surrey Police suggested that, as there had been similar thefts around Europe, the gang could have stolen the head in order to remove its horns and sell them for use in alternative medicines.

According to the Telegraph, the increased interest in rhino horns may be traced back to the rocketing price of powdered horn and a 2009 ruling by the European Commission that said such animal trophies could be classed as works of art and could therefore be traded.

After realising the error, the ruling was reversed and a ban is currently being implemented, but it does not apply to items shaped before June 1947. It is understood the head stolen from the Surrey museum was donated in 1929.

Earlier this month, a representative of the Museum of Science, University of Coimbra, Portugal, also warned the world’s museum and heritage sector about the theft of rhino horns after it had two 18th century rhino horns stolen on 19 April.

The spokesperson said: “I have strong reasons to believe it is an international gang that most likely also attacked an auctioneer in Essex, UK, in February, and the Natural History Museum of Rouen, France, in March. Last year there were several robberies in South Africa. In all cases they only took rhino horns. As you know these can reach prices higher than gold in the Asian black market.

“I would like to put you on alert as it is my firm conviction that it will be very difficult to stop them after they choose a target. And they are choosing museums. I would strongly advise everybody to remove any rhino horns you may have from public display.

The director of the museum also warned that the horns stolen from the museum have been impregnated with toxic products for conservation, so should not be used for human consumption.

If you would like to comment on this story, please email editorial@mandh-online.com and we will publish your thoughts and opinions.

Related Content:

Egypt artefact theft toll rises, top Egyptologist resigns
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo has revealed that 54 artefacts were stolen by looters in the break-in on 28 January, while the country’s top Egyptologist has resigned in protest at the lack of security at the country’s heritage sites.

Duo arrested over HMS London theft
Two men accused of stealing a two-tonne cannon and other valuable items of heritage from the remains of the warship HMS London have been arrested.