Rhinoceros horns were symbolically burned at Bojnice Zoo (Trenčín region) in order to draw attention to the worldwide problem of poaching and the trade in rhinoceros horns, TASR learnt on Sunday.
Heavily armed customs officers stood guard and a curious crowd filled the stands while staff from the Slovak Customs Office unloaded rhinoceros horns to be burned on a field with the assistance of fire-fighters. By burning six horns, Bratislava Customs Office and Environment Ministry have joined other countries around the world thus commemorating World Rhinoceros Day on Monday (September 22).
“A total of eight rhinoceros horns were secured by the Bratislava Customs Office two years ago, when Czech tourists attempted to smuggle them through the Slovak Republic. Seeing as the species is protected and in danger of extinction, it's not allowed to trade this product, which was therefore confiscated”, said Customs Office spokesperson Katarína Tehlárová.
She added that the value of one kilogram of rhinoceros horn can reach up to $60,000 on the black market, with the value of the eight confiscated horns being burned being €1.35 million. “In many eastern countries, people believe that the powder from the rhinoceros horn boosts male sexual potency or presents a potential cure for cancer and acne. However, no scientific research has confirmed any effect of the rhinoceros horns on human health”, she said. Children who arrived to the zoo for the event with a drawn picture of a rhinoceros were given free entry.
