While I respect Mr. Barah's sentiments here, allow me to express a few
contrarian views:
*** We all know that Assam and India has failed misearbluy to protect the
rhinos. However
Assam rhinos are NOt the only victims. Even African rhinos have been
suffering from
exactly the same fate.
*** African rhino protection has received far more advanced international
assistance than
Assam rhinos. But still the dangers to them have not abated.
*** It is under such circumstances that de-horning of rhinos is being
experimented with, in Africa.
While it obviously is a desperate attempt to save the rhinos, it does
indeed seem to be
an effctive way to prevent their killing, at least temporarily.
*** It is known that a small percentage of rhinos being sedated to de-horn may
die from the operation,
it is a very small risk.
*** The bigger problem here is the fact that a properly removed rhino horn will
re-grow. In African rhinos,
the rate is 3" to 5" a year. At that rate a rhino woluld hyave to be
de-horned again in about 5 years.
Since Assam rhinos are smaller and their horns are shorter, such
de-horning may provide safety for the
animals for a longer period than for African rhinos.
*** In a few years the effectiveness of the process can be examined to see if
it is worth continuing. The Assam rhino
population is much smaller than its African counterparts. So, if it is
effective, the procedure is probaly more sustainable
over time than, say, in Africa.
*** Finally a living rhino, even a de-horned one, is a far better alternative
than a dead rhino, killed brutally by
poachers.
Under the circumstance I support the idea of de-horning Assam rhinos.
Chandan K. Mahanta
Architect
St. Louis, USA
On Mar 23, 2014, at 10:55 AM, Pankaj Barah <pankajbo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild-Life), Assam, Assam Forest
> Department is proposing an experiential project to dehorn the rhinos in
> Assam as conservation measure. They are asking public opinion on or before
> 30th of March 2014 in this regard. The opinions can be send to <
> pccf.wl.as...@gmail.com> by email or to "Principal Chief Conservator of
> Forests (Wild-Life), Assam, Assam Forest Department, Basistha, Guwahati-29,
> Assam" by post.
>
> We believe that trimming the horns of rhinoceros can not stop illegal
> poaching of rhinoceros. It may have negative impact on rhino's normal
> physiology, or psychological status. We, strongly oppose the proposal of
> doing experiments by dehorning rhinoceros as a conservatory measure.
>
> 'Asomiyat Kotha-botora' a facebook group consisted of more than 15000
> members across the globe is preparing an online petition opposing this
> unethical proposal by the PCCF, Assam. I request you all to sign this
> petition with your short comments and contact address by clicking the
> following URL. Copy of this petition will also be sent to People for the
> Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, World Wildlife Fund, Ministry
> of Environment & Forests, India and United Nations Environment Programme
> etc.
>
> https://www.change.org/petitions/principal-chief-conservator-of-forests-wild-life-assam-don-t-trim-horns-of-rhinoceros
>
> We would also appreciate if someone living in USA (FASS officials) comes
> forward to help us to send this letter with all collected signatures to
> the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037.
>
> Best regard,
>
> On behalf of 'Asomiyat Kotha-botora' group
>
> Pankaj Barah
>
> Cell Molecular Biology and Genomics Group
> http://boneslab.bio.ntnu.no/wordpress/
> Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU),
> Realfagbygget, Room no.: DU1-172
> N-7491, Trondheim,Norway
> E.mail: pankaj.ba...@bio.ntnu.no
> Homepage: http://www.ntnu.edu/employees/pankaj.barah
> _______________________________________________
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> assam@assamnet.org
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