"You’d Do Just as Well as Chewing on Your Fingernails"

(Image: Desmond Kwande/AFP/Getty Images)

From the plethora of articles on the supposed medicinal value of rhino horn available on the Internet I feel this simple line sums it up rather well. I won’t wear you out with more statistics or complex explanations, except to say that if you truly believe in your heart of hearts that rhino horn can cure your ailment, then you might as well be tucking into your fingernails.

For one, it’s free. It’s renewable. And if your demand is great, there are always your toenails. And if that is still not enough well then buy or borrow some off a family member or friend. Should your condition be particularly unpleasant, well then I’m sure there’ll be someone in the world that would gladly offer his or hers for free. And if by some unfortunate stroke of bad luck, you cannot find one willing to share his or her nail clippings with you, take comfort, there’s always your hair.

Your fingernails, your hair, hooves and the exoskeleton of some insects and (Yes! You guessed it!) rhino horn is all composed of the same hardy protein - keratin. Well now that that’s been cleared up, let’s all go home and vow never to slaughter rhino for its horn again and to diligently save our toenail clippings for that rainy day.

Forensic analysis of the 33 rhino horns and 885 ivory pieces seized in Hong Kong could provide vital clues as to their origin. © Hong Kong Customs & Excise

The people who trade in rhino horn, who perpetuate centuries-old untruths about its medicinal value for gain are as depraved as those in our society who believe that intercourse with an infant can cure you from HIV and AIDS.

An angry and emotional argument I admit. But the decimation of our heritage cannot continue unabated or undefended. And yet we are utterly defenseless. The four pioneers of rhinoreality.org understand this well and their ambitious project to end the demand for Rhino horn by re-educating a billion people in Asia about the true cost to their health and the rhino of South Africa, might be our last hope.  We will follow their progress closely.

Source: Rhino Horn Use: Fact vs. Fiction