Truth about Rhino Horn
July 21st, 2010 by Alison Wheatley in Endangered Species
My rhino article was a bit long, so rather than add this note to the article I’m creating a new article. An articlette, perhaps!
Rhino poaching is usually for the international trade in rhino horn, which is based on a belief that the horn contains medicinal powers. The horn is sawed off the still living rhino, which is then left to die. It’s a brutal poaching event. The reality is that the rhinos don’t need to be killed – they can be dehorned humanely. Conservationists sometimes dehorn rhinos to help save them. But poachers are only interested in the money.Further, research has extensively analyzed rhino horn and shown that the horn actually has no medicinal properties, says Rhishja Larson of Saving Rhinos.org. The trade is based on what is simply a myth about rhino horn’s supposed curative powers, which apparently don’t exist. Not only is this myth hurting rhinos – I hate to think about a person battling a disease and using something that doesn’t really help them.
The main markets are in China and Vietnam, and the people there need to be educated and told the truth about rhino horn. Hopefully this education will occur and be successful in time to save the world’s remaining rhinos.
Tags: Conservation, horn, medicinal, poach, research, rhino, trade
July 21st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Thank you so much for helping to share the truth about rhino horn.
Keep up the good work!
- Rhishja