Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, one of the world’s leading authorities on rhinos and elephants, lends her voice to the public burning of rhino horn stockpiles in Assam.
With kind permission from wildlife advocate and conservationist Azam Siddiqui, we present an excerpt from Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s message to Assam wildlife authorities.
Azam previously trained under Dr. Sheldrick in Kenya, in the area of Orphaned Elephant Management. He is now based in Assam.
Excerpt from Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s message to Assam wildlife officials
The proposal to burn recovered Rhino Horns in Assam is definitely something that should be done to all recovered Rhino Horns throughout the world.
Kenya burnt its Rhino horn and Ivory stockpile in l989, and hopefully will soon do so again. The demand for Rhino Horn and Ivory is causing the elimination of both Rhinos and Elephants from the Planet, and the world will be the poorer for it.
I would therefore urge you to do the correct thing by carrying out the proposed burning of your Rhino horn, irrespective of protest from those with a vested interest in perpetuating the decimation of these ancient and extremely valuable animals that have been unchanged for the past 60 million years.
In terms of Nature, therefore, they are perfect for the role they are designed to play within the environment and as such vital to the health of the whole. All caring authorities have a responsibility to do the correct thing that is in the interest of endangered species, and it is my hope that you will rise to this challenge.
Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE MBE MBS DVMS
Thank you again to Azam Siddiqui for taking time to discuss the Assam rhino horn burning event, and for sharing this extraordinary statement of support.
Photo: istock.com
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We,the people of Assam are all very happy to with the governments decision to burn the rhino horns,at least people will come to know that it is just a collection of hair and contain no such medicinal value,this will help them to survive and they will be free from poachers etc.Specially as the chairperson of the organisation,People For Animals,Guwahati .Assam I support the decision of burning the horns from the core of my heart as this is the only way for the protection of these lovely animals.Long live the RHINO. Sangeeta Goswami
Hi Sangeeta -
We are so proud of Assam for leading the way!
I agree with you – long live the rhino!
- Rhishja
Assam is a diverse land which has full of beautiful scenario of mountains.I agree with both of you -live and let live the rhinos.