TRAVELLIVE MAGAZINE Travellive 03-2016 | Page 130

community Text: Phan Cac Truc Photos: Shannon Benson IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN THAT RHINO HORNS CONSIST OF THE SAME KERATIN FOUND IN HUMAN NAILS AND HAIR AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THEY BENEFIT PEOPLE’S HEALTH. HOWEVER, THESE FACTS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM USING RHINO HORNS - “NAILS AND HAIR” - IN VIETNAM. Blood, sweat, and tears are the price for rhino horns. It’s not only the blood of unfortunate rhinos but also that of the local foresters and police officials who attempt to protect them from poachers. Many are injured and even killed during these confrontations. The battle to save the rhinos is full of weapons, sweat, and blood. Apart from some officials, many professors and doctors have joined the fight. They and their family live in the forest, near stables and make all efforts to rescue this species from the brink of extinction.