Why, Why, Why: Medicine and Status

Every time I am lucky enough to see rhinos in the bush, I am impressed by their bulk. They are huge, some weighing in at 6000lbs. Yet, even though they are massive, they move with grace and stealth through the grass and shrublands. Two species roam freely in the South African bush - The black rhino (the top photo), browsers, and the white rhino (bottom photo), grazers. Both are endangered. And because they are threatened, these photos were taken months ago and in different reserves.

One guess as to the cause of this tragedy. Homo Sapiens, the great destroyers of everything in their way.

So, every time I see these magnificent yet gentle creatures whose ancestors date back to over 14 million years, I am also disgusted with humanity. I feel like pulling out every lock of hair and ripping the fingernails off of every poacher, every villain that hires poachers to kill rhinos for their horns, and every vile consumer that purchases the horns, which, by the way, are made of keratin, the same protein in our hair and fingernails. Why, why, why, one might ask? Where is the demand, another might ask?

The demand comes from Asia, specifically China and Vietnam, for traditional medicines like fevers and headaches (might I suggest that taking a couple of aspirin might be more effective?). Another cause for demand is status. Hey, look how rich I am. I have enough money to buy a rhino horn that I can display on my desk or shelf. It only cost me $65,000 per kilogram.

But at what cost to the calf left behind? At what cost to the ecosystem? And what about the cost to the soul of humankind?

#writing #personalessay #mylastmonthsinsouthafrica #rhinopoaching #takeanaspirin #stopthepoachingmadness #rhinohorns #keratin #writersoverfifty #theafricanbush #savetherhinos #createotherjobs

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