Rhino Horn is NOT Medicine » Captive Rhinos

‘Bogus Medicine: China’s Rhino Horn Scheme’ [Video]

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:43:44 +0000

Greed!

Why does the demand for rhino horn persist? After all, rhino horn has no proven medicinal value.

However, China (using rhinos imported from South Africa) is engaged in a profit-seeking scheme that depends on sick people using rhino horn instead of taking medicine.

Check out the ‘Bogus Medicine’ video:

Want more?

See “Revealed: China’s ‘Rhino Horn Cancer Treatment’ Scheme” — and be sure the read the timeline articles.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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Romance for Rare Borneo Rhinos?

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:00:44 +0000

The recent capture of a female Borneo rhino may help save the species.

Experts are hoping that the recent capture of an extremely rare subspecies of Sumatran rhino can save these ancient mammals from extinction.

Fewer than 200 Sumatran rhinos are left on Earth, and only 40 of these are of the subspecies Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni, also known as the Borneo rhino.

Of these 40 or so individuals, just a few are believed to be breeding females.

Puntung and Tam

Puntung, a female Borneo rhino, was captured on Christmas Day 2011 and is estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old.

Veterinarians at Malaysia’s Borneo Rhino Sanctuary are hoping to introduce her to 20-year-old Tam, a male Borneo rhino residing at the Sanctuary. The average life span is between 30 and 40 years.

At the moment, the two rhinos are in neighboring enclosures. The introduction will take place in several months, and in the meantime, Puntung seems to be adjusting to her new environment and consuming more than 60 kg (132 lb) of leaves every day.

The Borneo rhino is the world’s smallest rhino species, weighing 500 to 600 kg (1,100 to 1,322 lb) and standing around 1.3 metres tall (4.3 feet).

Video of Puntung and Tam at the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary:

How to help

To find out how you can help Borneo rhinos, check out the Borneo Rhino Alliance — and you can also see more photos of Puntung and Tam.

Video via Reuters.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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India: Suspect Arrested for Attempting to Kill Rhinos in Zoo

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:42:47 +0000

An extremely disturbing incident.

Police in Guwahati have arrested a man identified as Chin Khansong after he sneaked into the Assam State Zoo with a .303 rifle, ammunition, an axe, and a machete. The suspect confessed he was planning to kill “as many rhinos as possible” in order to sell their horns.

Nine greater one-horned rhinos reside at the zoo.

According to the Hindustan Times, Khansong is from the Churachandpur district of Manipur.

He had apparently scaled the zoo’s wall during the night, hoping the facility would be empty during Magh Bihu (Assam’s harvest festival).

Last year, the Thoiry zoo and wildlife park near Paris placed its rhinos under camera surveillance for added security.

Tiger killed inside zoo

In August 2009, a Sumatran tiger was killed and skinned inside her enclosure at Rimbo Zoo in Indonesia.

The tiger’s skin, along with the various body parts in demand for traditional Chinese medicine, were taken from the tiger’s enclosure.

Two people identified as Akmamul Mukminin and Samsudin alias Udin Bolu were later arrested for killing the tiger. Samsudin was sentenced to 46 months in jail.

Photo © iStockphoto.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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Get a Gorgeous 2012 Rhino Calendar and Help Protect African Rhinos

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:22:52 +0000

Four of the five rhino species all on one calendar!

The beautiful 2012 rhino calendar produced by International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA) and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is now ready to order.

Photos were submitted by rhino enthusiasts from around the world, and the winning twelve were selected by vote. In all, 77 participants submitted a total of 271 photos, and 4,090 votes were cast.

The calendars are being sold for US $26 each. Funds will be used to help purchase supplies for rhino protection units in Zimbabwe and South Africa:

Digital cameras
Tamper proof evidence bags
PDAs
Metal detectors
Shoes
GPS
Binoculars

These supplies will help increase effective protection of rhino populations, help ensure successful prosecutions of wildlife crimes, and contribute to collection of crime evidence when rhinos are killed, specifically in selected areas of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

To purchase your calendar, please see the IRKA/IRF Calendar Fundraiser page on the IRKA website here.

Image via International Rhino Keeper Association at rhinokeeperassociation.org

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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Updated Rhino Species Fact Sheets

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:21:36 +0000

The latest fact sheets are ready!

Our popular Rhino Species Fact Sheets are now updated and ready to download! Each rhino species has its own fact sheet.

The Rhino Species Fact Sheets were first published in 2009, updated in 2010, and have since been downloaded by people all over the world. The 2011 population figures are based on information provided at the International Rhino Keeper Association Workshop, which was held in May 2011.

Enjoy!

Download the Rhino Species Fact Sheets

For additional free public awareness and learning tools, please visit the Saving Rhinos downloads page.

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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World Rhino Day: Celebrating Rhinos Texas-Style in the USA

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:36:50 +0000

Big plans in the Lone Star State!

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center will celebrate World Rhino Day by hosting an art contest for local schoolchildren, and selling the art on September 22^nd at Hollywood and Vine restaurant in Glen Rose. All proceeds from the art show and a portion of the proceeds from the dinners served on World Rhino Day will go to Fossil Rim’s rhino program!

Rhino art contest

The World Rhino Day Art Contest hosted by Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is open to students who attend Glen Rose ISD schools. Rhinos must be the most prominent part of the pictures!

There are four divisions in the art contest, determined by grade level. In each division, First, Second, and Third place will be awarded.

First prize in each division includes a one year membership to Fossil Rim for four people.

For all the details about the art contest, download the World Rhino Day Art Contest Rules and connect with Fossil Rim on Facebook®.

Find out more about World Rhino Day here.

Dinner and art sale

Submitted artwork will be on display on September 22^nd at Hollywood and Vine restaurant in Glen Rose. Contest winners will be announced at 7:30 pm.

All parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are encouraged to come and enjoy the art exhibit and purchase your child’s picture. A special menu will be provided by Hollywood and Vine, and $1.00 from each meal purchased will be donated the rhino program at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

Connect with Hollywood and Vine on Facebook®.

About Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has been involved regionally and globally since 1987 with the conservation of white rhinoceros, and since 1991 with black rhinoceros. Seven white rhinos and five black rhino calves have been born at Fossil Rim.

Fossil Rim is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and an institutional supporter of the International Rhino Keepers Association (IRKA).

Adam Eyres, Fossil Rim hoofstock supervisor, is co-author of a number of publications about rhinos and was involved with the writing of the Rhino Husbandry Manual. Additionally, he is the White Rhino SSP (Species Survival Plan) Coordinator for North America.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 wildlife conservation facility that specializes in captive-breeding programs for endangered and threatened animal species. Fossil Rim funds its award winning conservation efforts with tourism. The center manages over 50 species of wildlife including cheetah, rhinos, giraffe, wolves, zebra, and the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. Fossil Rim offers a 9½ mile Scenic Wildlife Drive, unique Safari Camp lodging, guided tours, camps, Nature Store, and Café to visitors. For more information, call (254) 897-2960 or visit fossilrim.org.

Got questions about World Rhino Day? Check out the FAQs and connect with us on the World Rhino Day 2011 page on Facebook®.

Photo & logo courtesy & © Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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UK’s Chester Zoo Launches New Campaign to Protect Black Rhinos in Kenya and Tanzania

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:03:38 +0000

The Chester Zoo is helping critically endangered black rhinos in the wild.

A new campaign called Act for Wildlife has been launched by the UK’s Chester Zoo. The campaign is raising support and awareness for endangered species in the wild – including black rhinos.

Critically endangered black rhinos

In 1970, 65,000 black rhinos roamed the African continent. However, by 1993, the demand for illegal rhino horn decimated this species to just 2,300.

Conservation efforts have increased the critically endangered black rhino population to 4,860 today. Only three subspecies are surviving – the Southwestern, Southern central and the Eastern black rhino. Sadly, the Western black rhino subspecies is now believed to be extinct.

The Eastern black rhino subspecies (Diceros bicornis michaeli) is the least numerous of the three; only around 700 remain in the wild.

Most Eastern black rhinos are found in Kenya, with small populations in Tanzania and South Africa.

Conservation and communities

The Chester Zoo’s Eastern black rhino breeding program has been instrumental in the conservation of this species, and the Act for Wildlife campaign supports three projects to help protect black rhinos in the wild – two in Kenya and one in Tanzania.

Maasailand Preservation Trust in Chyulu Hills – Kenya
Laikipia Wildlife Forum – Kenya
George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust in Mkomazi National Park – Tanzania

Antony Kasanga, Information Officer for the Maasailand Preservation Trust and Field Co-ordinator for the Black Rhino project at Chyulu Hills, explains how the project is important to both rhinos and the local community.

We employ around 45 game scouts and rangers, all from the local Maasai communities. Our rhino rangers work alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service, to monitor and protect our rhinos as threats continue to increase.

The game scouts also have a huge role in protecting local habitat and wildlife. The area is a crucial water catchment for both people and wildlife, including elephant, cheetah, lion and African wild dog. Each year the game scouts confiscate hundreds of snares, arrows, spears and other tools used by poachers. They make around 800 arrests each year.

As the rhino crisis spreads across the African continent, Act for Wildlife works to protect rhinos by funding intensive anti-poaching activities and community education projects.

Working together is the only way we can make sure the black rhino is protected, and saved from extinction.

Learn more about the Chester Zoo’s Act for Wildlife campaign: Check out the Act for Wildlife website and Facebook® page to see how you can help.

Photos and Act for Wildlife logo courtesy of Michelle Duma, Chester Zoo

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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In Plain Sight: China’s ‘Rhino Horn Scheme’

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:50:49 +0000

Another inconvenient truth.

Despite a series of troubling indicators that should have alerted South African authorities to China’s intentions to breed rhinos commercially in order to harvest their horns, over 100 live rhinos were exported from South Africa to China between 2007 and the present.

Disconcerting timeline

South Africa’s rhino crisis is surrounded by a disconcerting timeline of events in China.

Let’s take a look.

2007: Chinese government infuses traditional Chinese medicine research with USD $130 million – five times more than the previous year’s budget – to “standardize and modernize” traditional Chinese medicine. Read the entire article:

Eastern Medicine Goes West (September 14^th, 2007. The Wall Street Journal – WSJ.com)

2008: Chinese research proposal reveals location of China’s ‘rhino farm’ and ‘horn harvesting experiments’, along with intentions to circumvent CITES. For additional information, see:

Revealed: Location of China’s Rhino Farm and Horn Harvesting Experiments (July 20^th, 2010)
Chinese Researchers Hope to Turn Rhino Horn Cultivation into Thriving Enterprise While Avoiding CITES Scrutiny (November 17^th, 2010)

2009: Chinese research proposal recommends acquisition and stockpiling of rhino horn. Check out the following to learn more:

Concern Grows Over Possible Links Between Rhino Horn Demand and China’s State-Funded TCM Research (October 5^th, 2010)

2010: At least 18 live rhinos exported to China from South Africa during a six-month period. To learn more, see:

Chinese News Reports Arrival of 12 Rhinos from South Africa (August 3^rd, 2010)
Reports of More Rhinos Arriving in China from South Africa (December 19^th, 2010)

2010: China’s patent office reportedly published a patent application for a “self-suction living rhinoceros horn-scraping tool”. See:

Killing Fields: Africa’s Rhinos Under Threat (June 13^th, 2011. TIME)

During the same time period, take note of the increased market demand for rhino horn, as evidenced by rhinos illegally killed in South Africa.

2007: 13
2008: 83
2009: 122
2010: 333

At least 173 rhinos have been killed in South Africa during the first six months of 2011, according to SANParks on June 6^th.

‘Approved and acceptable destinations’

Although international commercial trade in rhinos and rhino products is prohibited, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ™ notes that there is an exception.

… the South African population of Southern White Rhino was downlisted in 1994 to Appendix II, but only for trade in live animals to “approved and acceptable destinations” and for the (continued) export of hunting trophies.

According to CITES, such trade is not supposed to be for commercial purposes.

An import permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met: … (c) a Management Authority of the State of import is satisfied that the specimen is not to be used for primarily commercial purposes.

It is also relevant here that a 2006 document prepared by China’s CITES Management Authority clearly states that rhino horn can be researched only if the purpose of the research is to identify a substitute for its use in traditional Chinese medicine. ¹

[The Notification] also requires registering and sealing up all rhino horn, tiger bone and their products (except for uses on researches of substitutes).

China currently has plans to import at least 40 more rhinos this year.

In plain sight

The entire situation is deplorable.

Perhaps even more unsettling is that it has been developing for years, in plain sight, for anyone who cared to look.

All images © Saving Rhinos LLC

1. CITES Management Authority. (2006). Report on Implementing Resolution Conf.12.5 of CITES. People’s Republic of China.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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‘Bust the Myth – Save the Species’ Rhino Crisis Awareness Campaign Launched

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:25:50 +0000

Bust the Myth – Save the Species!

We are excited to announce the launch the of Bust the Myth – Save the Species, a global public awareness campaign calling for a coalition approach to debunking the rhino horn medicine myth.

A coalition approach

It’s time for NGOs, zoos, educational institutions, traditional media, social media, and the public to stand together and bust the rhino horn myth: Rhino horn has no medicinal properties, no curative benefits, and no magical powers!

In addition to English, our Bust the Myth – Save the Species posters and t-shirts have been translated into Chinese (Mandarin) and Vietnamese, so that wildlife supporters and friends of the rhino in China and Vietnam can share the message in their own language.

Until we acknowledge the root of the problem, we cannot take real steps to solve it. – Rhishja Larson, founder of Saving Rhinos. Read more from the Mongabay interview Belief and butchery: how lies and organized crime are pushing rhinos to extinction

Global campaign to protect rhinos

In response to email queries and geographic data collected from website traffic, it is clear that wildlife advocates in the two countries identified as rhino horn destinations – China and Vietnam – are eager to join the global campaign to protect rhinos from the illegal trade in rhino horn.

Based on requests for translated materials, we have made the Bust the Myth – Save the Species campaign message available to everyone.

Links to the t-shirts and posters are at the end of this article, or visit the new campaign page on our website now.

Support is growing for wildlife conservation

Wildlife conservation and animal advocacy is supported by a growing number of citizens in Southeast Asia and China, especially among the younger demographic.

Many celebrities are speaking out against illegal wildlife trafficking.

We like this quote from Jackie Chan, in the book Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species Trade in Asia.

If our descendants have to ask us why they can only see animals like rhinoceroses in paintings and photographs, how can we tell them that it’s because some people among our ancestors felt that rhinoceros horns had medicinal value and killed them?

Three different studies, three separate teams, and three unrelated institutions conclude that rhino horn has no medicinal value. Read the article Busting the Rhino Horn Myth with Science.

A doctor speaks up for rhinos

In September 2010, Dr. Albert Lim Kok Hooi, a consulting oncologist based in Kuala Lumpur, published a most welcome article in Malaysia’s popular online news portal, The Star Online in which he dismissed the notion of rhino horn’s effectiveness as a medicine.

A lingering cultural belief in traditional medicines (most are based on TCM) in Southeast Asia, and the impact on rhino conservation efforts prompted Dr. Hooi speak up on behalf of the embattled pachyderms.

To all this, I say that something that works for everything usually works for nothing. I also say that something that has been used for hundreds or thousands of years does not make it right.

The oncologist sums it up in a compassionate statement underscoring the fact that rhino horn contains no curative properties.

The whole sad story of killing the rhino for its horn is not only criminal, it is cruel, immoral and unforgivably, without any scientific basis.

Although Dr. Hooi comes from a generation whose medical knowledge was shaped by myths about the alleged magical powers of animal parts, he realizes that these notions have no place in modern medicine.

CITES Secretariat

The following is from the 2010 CITES Report of the Secretariat, CoP15 Doc. 45.1 Interpretation and implementation of the Convention – Species trade and conservation: Rhinoceroses:

The Secretariat is also very conscious, however, of the need to respond to the belief that rhinoceros horn is efficacious in the treatment or prevention of cancer. It is despicable that criminals are financially exploiting sufferers, and their relatives, at a time when they will be struggling to cope with distressing and sometimes terminal medical conditions.

About the t-shirts and posters

The translated t-shirt message is Bust the Myth, Save the Species. International shipping to China, Vietnam, and most other countries!

Bust the Myth – Save the Species t-shirts in English
Bust the Myth – Save the Species t-shirts in Chinese (Mandarin)
Bust the Myth – Save the Species t-shirts in Vietnamese

Please note all merchandise is available online only.

Download posters:

Bust the Myth – Save the Species poster in English
Bust the Myth – Save the Species poster in Chinese (Mandarin)
Bust the Myth – Save the Species poster in Vietnamese

Get a Bust the Myth – Save the Species profile pic from the Saving Rhinos Facebook® page.

Visit the Bust the Myth – Save the Species campaign page on our website.

Read the article Busting the Rhino Horn Myth with Science.
Buy the book Murder, Myths & Medicine – formidable forces behind the illegal trade in rhino horn! Murder, Myths & Medicine features exclusive photographs and is the world’s first book to highlight the rhino crisis events of 2010. (Please note this book contains graphic images.)

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. Besides writing Rhino Horn is Not Medicine, I am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, the Editor of Project Pangolin, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Rhino Experts Gather at International Conference

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:57:17 +0000

It was a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the rhino world at the 2011 International Rhino Keeper Association Workshop.

Leading authorities in rhino husbandry and conservation met recently in Texas for the only conference of its kind, the International Rhino Keeper Workshop, to share information experienced through captive management and field study.

The event is presented every two years by the International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA), a nonprofit organization promoting professional collaboration, development and practices to advance rhinoceros conservation worldwide.

Participants from the US, UK, Switzerland, Australia, and Singapore enjoyed an educational two and a half days of presentations – and an excursion to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas.
IRKA President Adam Felts spoke enthusiastically about the outcome of this year’s event.

This workshop was one of the best to date! Our vision for these workshops is to collaborate and learn from one another to protect and promote the general welfare of all species of rhinos. Bringing together rhino experts from the field and zoo settings is an invaluable opportunity to enhance our knowledge, as well as mobilize plans that positively impact the lives of these animals.

The entire workshop agenda is available at the IRKA website.

Ex situ topics

An impressive array of ex situ topics included breeding programs, enclosure and habitat design, nutrition, skin issues in the black rhino and foot care of the greater one-horned rhino.

Here are just a few:

Artificial insemination in greater one-horned rhinoceros (Dr. Monica Stoops, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – CREW)
Rhinoceros Conservation at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dr. Benn Bryant, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Australia)
Indian rhinos – What zoos can do to protect this species ex-situ and in-situ (Dr. Frederike von Houwald, Zoo Basel, Switzerland)
Training and foot care in Chester Zoo’s Greater one horned rhinoceros (Sarah Beck, Chester Zoo, UK)
Eosynophylic Granulomas and their Treatment in Captive Black Rhinos – A Collaboration Treatment Plan (Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park)
Captivity-induced iron-storage disease in rhinos and other exotic wildlife (Dr. Don Paglia, UCLA Hematology Research Lab)

Check out the complete list of speakers and videos of the presentations here.

In addition to the speakers, several poster presentations were on display throughout the entire event. On the second day of the workshop, participants had the opportunity to discuss the poster presentations during an informative Q and A session.

All poster topics can be seen here.

In situ topics

Regarding wild rhino populations, the urgent issues of skyrocketing demand for rhino horn and the involvement of organized crime syndicates were discussed. Habitat threats facing Sumatran and Javan rhinos were addressed.

Despite the ever-present dangers to wild rhinos, South Africa, Kenya, and Namibia have experienced increased rhino numbers. India’s greater one-horned rhinos are also on the rise, and Nepal’s population continues to be closely monitored. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe’s rhino population has started to decline, as a result of the ongoing rhino crisis.

Status of rhino populations and conservation efforts (Dr. Susie Ellis, International Rhino Foundation)
Status, trends, and challenges facing African Rhino in the wild (Dr. Richard Emslie, IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group)
Saving Rhinos in the Wild; Anti-Poaching, Anti-Trafficking, Rhino Monitoring and Translocations (Dr. Barney Long, World Wildlife Fund)

New public awareness campaign unveiled
Saving Rhinos’ Bust the Myth – Save the Species campaign display was unveiled for the first time at the event. Visit our Bust the Myth page to learn more.

Tour of Fossil Rim

The workshop concluded with a tour of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

At this expansive facility, 50 species roam peacefully in approximately 1,700 acres of pastures.

We were greeted with impressive views of wide open spaces and were given the unique opportunity to check out both black and white rhinos in special behind-the-scenes access.

Learn more about IRKA

To learn more about the International Rhino Keeper Association:

International Rhino Keeper Association website (rhinokeeperassociation.org)
International Rhino Keeper Association on Facebook®

The next workshop will be held in 2013.

The International Rhino Keeper Association and International Rhino Foundation are also having a rhino photography contest which runs until July 31^st. The winners will be featured in the IRKA/IRF’s 2012 Rhino Calendar. The calendars will be sold for USD $25 each, with the funds raised going to help Rhino Protection Units (RPUs) with supplies and equipment. Please visit the IRKA website to download an entry form.

Photo #1 and IRKA logo courtesy of Adam Felts, International Rhino Keeper Association. Photo #2 and #3: Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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