First 'Rhino Horn Burn' in U.S. Held at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

ESCONDIDO, CA — Some $1 million worth of confiscated rhinoceros horns, ornate objects and items falsely marketed as medicinal were burned Thursday at San Diego Zoo Safari Park near Escondido in what was believed to be the first sanctioned "rhino horn burn" in the United States.

San Diego Zoo Global, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife partnered to host the burn "to deliver the message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated and to demonstrate how organizations are working together to end this threat to rhinos," according to a statement from San Diego Zoo Global.

Zoo officials say rhinos have disappeared from most of the continent of Africa, where more than three rhinos are killed on average per day for their horns — a rate that could cause them to go extinct within 15 years.

"Despite erroneous claims of its medicinal value, rhino horn — which is made of keratin, the same material that forms human fingernails and hair — has no demonstrated pharmaceutical benefits," San Diego Zoo officials said.

"Yet demand for supposed remedies that range from cancer treatments to hangover cures is driving unprecedented poaching. In addition, objects made of rhino horn have more recently become a status symbol, a display of success and wealth.

"If rhinos are to survive, their horns must have value only when they are attached to live rhinos. Please join us at this momentous event to recognize the role that we all play in ensuring the survival of these magnificent creatures."

Image via U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Twitter