Sunday August 1, 2010, 1:02 am
I worry that this is going to have negative effects on the animal. I hope the "test" subject fares well through this "treatment". if it works then it will be entertaining to watch for the first person to fall prey to this scheme. We shall see how effective it ends up being.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 1:04 am
Noted, thanks.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 2:37 am
YES I AM WORRIED TOO MARY, WORRYING.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 3:09 am
Me three; I'm worried too. Of course, if it magically manages to poison poachers exclusively, I'll be all in favor of this method! Thanks for the article, Allan.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 6:06 am
Well i really hope it works,desperate measures must be taken to stop this,i just hope the rhinos don't suffer,thanks for this news Allan.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 9:25 am
Thanks Allan can you keep us updated on this so we know how it goes for this Rhino. Hope you are doing well love to you Kaye

Sunday August 1, 2010, 11:27 am
I am all for taking a lateral view.. Protecting these animals day and night is impossible so If it works and stops poaching then I am all for it.. Not sure how it would work?.. Rhino horn is like toenails andfinger nails made out of keratin.. could the poison be absorbed into the blood stream of the rhino? How are they going to distinguish a poison one from a non poisoned one... paint it blue or red or something? Will be interesting to see.. drastic measures are needed though.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 11:53 am
Thanks Allan for this story I hope it stops the poaching

Sunday August 1, 2010, 12:36 pm
It's diabolical that such drastic action is required to help save the rhino from poachers, the use of poison is concerning - hopefully there is no ill effects on the rhino.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 3:35 pm
Actually I think this is an ingenious idea. But do they have to use poison? It seems to me any substance that would simply make the horn uneatable....like cement. Or glue. You get the idea. I don't like the idea of poison used experimentally on the rhino.
This idea could posibly also be applied to other endangered species where there are so few yet the poaching continues, just alter the 'product' so that it is unusable. As long as it is non-toxic for the animal.

Sunday August 1, 2010, 3:39 pm
How about surgically removing the horn so there is NO horn for the poachers. The rhinos stay alive, though I'm not sure if their survival would be negatively affected by living with no horn.
As someone said, drastic circumstances require drastic actions.

Monday August 2, 2010, 3:16 am
GO and Look up another petition on Care2 storys all the messages on the FACT THAT RHINO HORN OFFERS NO HEALTH BENEFITS. This is a FANTASTIC SOLUTION to this PROBLEM, there are so many POISONS that can be added to the RHINO HORN That would make consumption of it even in small quantities very Unpleasant. A Japanese friend even suggested the poison out of a very poisonous fish that they have out there, mind you I don't know if that is so poisonous that it would affect the Rhino, or if it would only be poisonous if consumed oraly so the Rhinos would be ok. The poison that was added to the horn would seep in through he structure of the keratin, whe have all seen the SHAMPOO adverts on hair structure haven't we? The Poison itself would just soak in and would not go anywhere near the skin of the Rhino. IT will soak right into the structure and will be totally impossible to get rid of. THIS ED HERN WHO IS DOING THIS IS A HERO AND NEEDS TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR THIS INOVATIVE IDEA. - RESPECT.

Saturday August 28, 2010, 6:14 am
FEED BACK.

Thank you all for your comments. I have written to find out how things are going with the research and as soon as I hear anything I will let you all know. I am sure that Mr Ed Hern will not allow anything to adversely affect the rhinos. He loves them as much as, and perhaps even more so than any of us. Let us all hold thumbs that his research is successful.

Monday September 13, 2010, 4:30 am
Excellent plan. Give those oxygen thieves an unpleasant lesson. I'm guessing Elle Macpherson will change her beauty routine quick-quick when she hears about this - ha ha. ===
“There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed” Mahatma Ghandi.

Tuesday November 23, 2010, 3:45 am
FEED BACK
After Friday the 26th November, I will be able to give more details, but for now the 'poison' used has not effected the test Rhino and they are all in beautiful condition. So that is good news. It seems that getting the news out to the consumers of Rhino horn is not going to be too easy. It still may not stop poaching as the Yemeni might still use it for the ornamental dagger handle, providing they don't lick their fingers.