Manufacturing fake rhino horn to save real rhinos

Scientists have successfully created a type of rhino horn made of horsehair with the aim to disrupt the rhino horn trade market and protect this species from extinction.

According to CNN, in a study published on 8-11, Oxford University scientists said they have successfully manufactured a type of horn made from horsehair-like rhinoceros horn. The natural composition and how to make this fake horn is identical to the real rhino horn .

Fake rhino horn is made from horsehair - (Photo: CNN).

"Our research results show that it is very cheap and easy to fake a horn with rhino-like biology. We want to develop this technology even further in order to cause visual disturbances." trade schools, squeezing the horns' prices and thereby helping to preserve rhinos, " Professor Fritz Vollrath of the University of Oxford told CNN.

The researchers also said that rhino horn actually is hair growing from the animal's nose, combined with collagen and some other substances that make up.

"What I hope is the realization that rhino horn is not a divine substance. It is simply a hair coming out of a rhino nose and some other things. Nothing special, nothing. It's miraculous, "added Professor Vollrath.

However, there are also mixed opinions that creating fake rhino horn will hinder law enforcement efforts to prevent rhino horn trafficking.

Many people believe that rhino horn can cure many diseases, especially cancer - (Image: CNN).

"Law enforcement officers will have a hard time distinguishing between real and fake horns, especially if both are marketed as powders or synthesized in other medicines," the Group spokesman said. World Conservation Union (WWF) said.

Cathy Dean, executive director of the Save the Rhino Foundation, said: "If you catch someone who is trading real rhino horn, they can argue that this is just a horns made from horsehair, and that would make the prosecution process more difficult. "

Rhinoceros are often poached for their horns. Rhino horn is widely believed to cure diseases such as cancer. Poaching and habitat loss have led to a sharp decline in the number of rhinos in the world. In 2018, more than 890 rhinos were killed in Africa.

According to statistics of the World Conservation Union, currently there are about 20,000 white rhinos, 5,000 black rhinos and 3,500 one-horned rhinos alive. As for Sumatra and Javan rhinos, which are on the list of endangered species, there are fewer than 80 and 68, respectively.