FANTASTIC FANTACIES

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Background References

• A rhinoceros (/raɪˈnɒsərəs/, meaning "nose horn"), often abbreviated to rhino, is one of any five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae, as well as any of the numerous extinct species. Two of these extant species are native to Africa and three to Southern Asia. .... Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and which are used by some cultures for ornamental or traditional medicinal purposes. East Asia, specifically Vietnam, is the largest market for rhino horns. By weight, rhino horns cost as much as gold on the black market. People grind up the horns and then consume them believing the dust has therapeutic properties.^[2][3] The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.^[4] Both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn. The IUCN Red List identifies three of the species as critically endangered. ... Read more here

• Why Does a Rhino Horn Cost $300,000? Because Vietnam Thinks It Cures Cancer and Hangovers A rhino-head heist spree is sweeping the world and destroying rhino populations, mostly because of some ridiculous myths GWYNN GUILFORD MAY 15, 2013 ... CLICK HERE
• The Many Valuable & Versatile Uses For Rhino Horn As our month long celebration of everything amazing about planet Earth continues, we turn our attention to one of the most unique creatures - and one very close to our hearts at TreadRight - to further explore just what it is about this amazing animal that makes is seem so mystical and magical.... CLICK HERE

• Carved rhino horns top two Asian art sales A large carved full-tip rhinoceros horn libation cup, 19th century, carried an estimate of $60,000-$80,000. A large carved full-tip rhinoceros horn libation cup, 19th century, carried an estimate of $60,000-$80,000. by Peter Fish Rhinoceros horn might not be the most politically correct of collectibles but it is much in vogue with Chinese buyers and proved a $100,000 commodity at two Asian art auctions this week. .............. Fetching top price at the Sotheby's Australia sale at Sydney's InterContinental hotel on Tuesday evening was a richly carved Chinese rhino horn libation cup some 60.5cm long which brought $120,000 on the hammer, or $146,400 including buyer's premium, while the star at Leonard Joel's in Melbourne's South Yarra on Sunday afternoon was a tiny rhino horn cup that fetched $96,000. .............. While Sotheby's was expecting a serious price for its big horn, which carried a pre-sale of $60,000 to $80,000 (estimates exclude buyer's premium), the pre-sale estimate on Joel's rhino cup was catalogued at a mere $2000 to $3000, the fall of the hammer being greeted with a round of applause in the room. .............. Read more click here