The latest robbery was from the Africa Museum in Namur as one thief of a gang of three took a stuffed white rhinoceros head while his accomplices diverted the attention of the staff.
In response to this theft Government officials issued a statement saying that trade in rhino horns is banned under the Cites international agreement, the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The trade in rhino horns is on rise throughout Europe, with customs officials seizing seven hauls of horns last year in the European Union.
Early last month, thieves took a stuffed rhinoceros head from the Brussels Natural History Museum, while another robber working with an accomplice attempted to steal a rhino head from the Liege natural history museum, but was caught and the head returned.
Rhinos are often poached for their horns, which are made of keratin and sold on the black market for ornamental or medicinal purposes, largely in Asia. The horns can fetch tens of thousands of euros each.
Europol suspects that an Irish organised crime group is behind the recent spate of robberies.
