BCM 262 national assembly report on the poisoning of the rhino horns
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Question 1
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Question 2
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Question 3
7
References
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Question: Whether the government intends poisoning the horns of live rhinoceroses in situ as a deterrent to poaching: if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer:
If the government intend to poison the rhino horn there is a lot of factors to consider, including legal and toxicological factors.
According to the guardian on 4 April 2013 (Smith, 2013) they describe how the rhino horn is infused with the poison. As well as concrete proof of whether some people think it is worth the effort and some people say it is not as effective as one would think. First the rhino is placed under sleep with a tranquilizer, then a hole is drilled in the horn where after the mixture of a pinkish dye and pesticides is injected into the horn. The pesticide is similar to the pesticide used on horses, cattle and sheep. It is also said that it is toxic to humans and will lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. But it is a non-lethal chemical mixture. But as is commonly known that all compounds has a LD 50, which is known as the lethal dose for 50% of the population. Thus if the compound is ingested as the LD 50 amount then lethality will be possible.
Further more it still needs to be effective and stable and at the same time be toxic to humans but not to rhinos. Thus the specific compound, which is known as an ectoparasiticide, must have a relatively high LD 50 for rhino’s and a low LD 50 for humans. All the effects of the ectoparasiticide is dosage related. But to animals it is not toxic and is commonly used to treat the ticks infecting certain cattle, sheep etc., as previously mentioned.
The horn of the rhino is not directly attached to the rest of the vascular system of the rhino’s body and the horn continues to grow such as the nails of humans. Thus if the poison is injected in situ it will be higher up in the horn after
Page
Question 1
2-4
Question 2
5-6
Question 3
7
References
8
Question: Whether the government intends poisoning the horns of live rhinoceroses in situ as a deterrent to poaching: if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer:
If the government intend to poison the rhino horn there is a lot of factors to consider, including legal and toxicological factors.
According to the guardian on 4 April 2013 (Smith, 2013) they describe how the rhino horn is infused with the poison. As well as concrete proof of whether some people think it is worth the effort and some people say it is not as effective as one would think. First the rhino is placed under sleep with a tranquilizer, then a hole is drilled in the horn where after the mixture of a pinkish dye and pesticides is injected into the horn. The pesticide is similar to the pesticide used on horses, cattle and sheep. It is also said that it is toxic to humans and will lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. But it is a non-lethal chemical mixture. But as is commonly known that all compounds has a LD 50, which is known as the lethal dose for 50% of the population. Thus if the compound is ingested as the LD 50 amount then lethality will be possible.
Further more it still needs to be effective and stable and at the same time be toxic to humans but not to rhinos. Thus the specific compound, which is known as an ectoparasiticide, must have a relatively high LD 50 for rhino’s and a low LD 50 for humans. All the effects of the ectoparasiticide is dosage related. But to animals it is not toxic and is commonly used to treat the ticks infecting certain cattle, sheep etc., as previously mentioned.
The horn of the rhino is not directly attached to the rest of the vascular system of the rhino’s body and the horn continues to grow such as the nails of humans. Thus if the poison is injected in situ it will be higher up in the horn after
References: Bega, S. (2012). Poisoned rhino horn plan goes awry. Kromdraai: Saturday Star. Braun, D. (2010). Poisoning horns is not a solution to the rhino poaching crisis. National Geographic. Carnie, T. (2013). Rhino horn poison 'extremely toxic '. Durban: Independent Newspaper. Dagut, H. (2013). Poisoning rhino horn - ethically defendable, but legally questionable? Bizcommunity.com, Daily industry news. Dardagan, C. (2014). Poisoning rhino horns works-expert. Durban: Independent Newspaper. Oellerman, I. (2014). Spoiling a good story. The Witness. Save the rhino. (2014, 10 10). Retrieved from Poisoning rhino horns: http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/thorny_issues/poisoning_rhino_horns Smith, D. (2013, 04 4). The Gaurdian. Retrieved from South African game reserve poisons rhino 's horns to prevent poaching: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/apr/04/rhino-horns-poisoned-poachers-protect