Disturbing news that 'poachers' have killed a young male rhinoceros ('Vince') in a zoo at Thoiry, west of Paris and removed one of its horns with a chainsaw (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/07/rhino-shot-dead-by-poachers-at-french-zoo). It seems likely that the criminals involved (possibly disturbed or suffering an equipment fault before removing the second horn) were intent on selling the horn to the Chinese 'alternative medicine' fraternity where such rare items can generate very high prices (in spite of there being no evidence that the materials are curative). This is a very worrying development as one might have expected animals to be safe from poachers in such a location.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Friday 10 March 2017
Horn of Plenty?
Disturbing news that 'poachers' have killed a young male rhinoceros ('Vince') in a zoo at Thoiry, west of Paris and removed one of its horns with a chainsaw (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/07/rhino-shot-dead-by-poachers-at-french-zoo). It seems likely that the criminals involved (possibly disturbed or suffering an equipment fault before removing the second horn) were intent on selling the horn to the Chinese 'alternative medicine' fraternity where such rare items can generate very high prices (in spite of there being no evidence that the materials are curative). This is a very worrying development as one might have expected animals to be safe from poachers in such a location.
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