New chemical composition could curb rhino poaching

Posted by Annuschka Du Preez on 8 April 2013

Last week the Sabi Sand Wildtuin Association announced the introduction of a chemical composition that will make it a health risk to consume rhino horn, hopefully serving as the ultimate solution to rhino poaching. A mixture of pink dye and parasiticides injected into the rhino horn will render consumers of the powdered horn seriously ill.

The non-lethal chemical, composed of pink dye and parasiticides, was created by veterinary surgeon Charles van Niekerk from the Rhino and Lion reserve in Kromdraai, Johannesburg. These parasiticides are generally used to control ticks on animals such as horses, cattle and sheep and is toxic to humans. When this is injected into rhino horns the consumer will become seriously ill.

Andrew Parker, the association’s CEO clearly stated that the aim is not to kill the consumer, but rather to curb this illegal trade by making it a health risk to consume rhino horn.“The results have proved to be non-harmful to the rhinos, cost-effective, and an immediate and long-lasting solution for private game reserves which are seen as easy targets for poachers,” Parker said. Additionally, airport scanners will be able to detect this pink dye even when the horn is ground into a powder.

Rhino horn

There are some Asian cultures, such as China, who believe that the rhino horn has specific uses. These include curing fever or other convulsions, being a powerful aphrodisiac and in Yemen the horn is used as dagger handles. According to Parker, in Asian markets one would pay an estimated R600 000 per kilogram for mature horns which weigh up to 4.5kg when sawn or hacked off close to the skull.

Original source: SAPA

Main image courtesy of wwarby

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