Rhino poaching hits record as horns worth more than gold

[Snake Alchemist]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45823839/ns/world_news-africa/t/rhino-poaching-hits-record-horns-worth-more-gold/#.Tv3n-jeAGpc.email

My father often says that Asian demand will eventually render the oceans barren. Looks like it applies to these endangered species as well.

[Archae]

1. This is just one result of blind belief in woo.

Notice the market for rhino horn aphrodisiacs has disappeared, thanks to REAL stuff like Viagra?

[Snake Alchemist]

2. It cures everything

"Rhino horn has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine, where it was ground into a powder and often mixed with hot water to treat a variety of maladies including rheumatism, gout, high fever and even devil possession.

In recent years, it has also taken on a reputation for being an aphrodisiac and cancer cure."

[dipsydoodle]

3. That's disgusting.

[msongs]

4. spread the news - poachers' bones will cure everything + boost your sex life nt

[Snake Alchemist]

6. If only that was considered "traditional" medicine. nt

[RueVoltaire]

5. Myth and superstition proves deadly again. Disgusting, medieval, and f*ing sad. :(

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. I saw a TV item recently on thefts from museums

it seems the power of rhino horn doesn't lose it's potency after the death and taxidermy of a rhino.

The same TV item mentioned that some museums are pre-emptively replacing the horns on the stuffed rhinos with replicas. Of course, ground bondo might be just as effective as ground rhino horn.

[cosmicone]

8. It is all the new money in China

Same thing is happening to Indian tigers and African animals.

China needs to do more to educate its population against old superstitions that a tiger's paw can bring good luck or a rhino's horn will improve sexual potency. In these days of Viagra, who needs a rhino anyway?

[Odin2005]

9. Thanks, alternative medicine woo-woos.