Deadly rhino horns

Two 19th century rhino horns stolen from a South African museum could be deadly if sold as a popular aphrodisiac because they are drenched in poison.

The "priceless" horns were snatched from a display at the historic mammal gallery in Cape Town. Jatti Bredekamp, chief executive of Iziko Museums says: "unknowingly, the thieves have exposed themselves to more than the danger of arrest and prosecution."

"Before the mid-twentieth century, taxidermy mounts were prepared by being soaked in arsenic and preserved from insect infestation through regular applications of DDT, both highly toxic poisons that retain their toxicity over time," said Bredenkamp.

He said the horns were deliberately targeted in a carefully planned robbery, and might be destined for Asia, where ground rhino horns are a prized aphrodisiac.

"This could have unforeseen consequences," he continued.

Rhino populations have fallen dramatically over the last few decades as poaching decimated the animals across Africa.

Bredekamp said museums worldwide were being targeted by organised crime to help supply lucrative markets with a wide range of artefacts. After a previous robbery attempt, South African museum officials removed several other specimens of rhino horn from public display, he said.

True Alan, Taxidermists used arsenic to "bug proof" all mounts and any horned animal (not antlered) had arsenic used to prevent infestation. I bet we hear about it in the news. Maybe this will stop the poaching. Too bad all Rhino's can't be treated with something that doesn't affect them but kills anyone using the horn in powdered form.

David,

I had heard about this before, but I never thought about it being a deterrent against rhino poachers and horn thieves until now.

I'd love to see videos of the Vietnamese and Chinese embassies' staff in South Africa crawling out the door on their hands and knees while foaming at the mouth. Putting that on the local TV stations in Peking and Hanoi would do more to quell the rhino poaching epidemic than anything else I can think of.

May Justice be swift and sure.

Not a bad way to stop theft, that's for sure.

.

Would a tiny amount of ground rhino horn stuck in the eye of your wanger (or whatever it is they do with it) have enough poison to do you any harm though??

quote:

stolen from a South African museum could be deadly if sold as a popular aphrodisiac because they are drenched in poison.

Let's hope.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
Would a tiny amount of ground rhino horn stuck in the eye of your wanger (or whatever it is they do with it) have enough poison to do you any harm though??

Matt,

I don't think they rub the rhino horn powder on their 'wangers', although I admit to having no personal experience with the preferred applications. I believe the traditional healers usually sell it in gelatin capsules, where it is taken orally by their patients, much like vitamins or herbs from a health food store.

However, I am starting a rumor right now that the only way to REALLY, effectively cure cancer is to take the rhino horn as a suppository.

In the hope, of course, that some of these bastards, who are driving the trade in rhino horn, get an 'ass load' of arsenic and DDT.

FWIW DDT is not immediately harmful in any thing less than spoonful doses if then. Long term harm to reproduction MAY occur.

SSR

EDIT: to humans

quote:

Originally posted by Cross L:
FWIW DDT is not immediately harmful in any thing less than spoonful doses if then. Long term harm to reproduction MAY occur.

SSR

EDIT: to humans

Cross L,

Then, we must pin all our hopes on the arsenic and hope for the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:


However, I am starting a rumor right now that the only way to REALLY, effectively cure cancer is to take the rhino horn as a suppository.

But only if it is "placed" there by the rhino.

Von Gruff.

Some rhino horns have been injected with M99. It stayes in the horn but has dire consequenses for the user of the horn... A lot of farmers have been "doping" the horns.

Couple of thousand dead Asians - will anyone really notice??

Alan, I never understood why they don't sub Pronghorn Antelope horn for the Rhino. It's the same substance; Antelope bucks (US) shed their horns annually and are available all over the ground. It could remove the poaching problem if they so would accept it. I guess there are those that just want to do things that are immoral, illegal and under handed.
David

Soak'em, inject'em, microchip'em....anything to stop the poaching!
If the anti's of the UN are so interested in Wildlife, why don't they make it illegal to SELL Rhino and Elephant in the shops that offer it over the counter with BIG cash and prison penalties.....dry up the damn market....oh, yeah, forgot....they are only interested in stopping hunting...