The aroma of dung could be the ultimate aphrodisiac if you're a white rhinoceros.
Canterbury University masters student Volker Grun has begun a study of white rhinoceros excrement and the effect its smell has on sexual behaviour and attraction.
The study aims to improve the captive breeding rate of the endangered species,
which is at present about 8 per cent.
"It's kind of like a dating system," he said. "You have got this guy and this girl and they could match. Instead of a photo you go by the smell."
Mr Grun has collected dung from rhinos at Orana Park, Hamilton and Auckland zoos.
Having tested it for bugs and viruses he is about to swap it between the three zoos.
He hopes to trick the bulls into thinking another male rhino has strayed into their territory, prompting primal urges, and territorial marking, while encouraging sexual desire among female rhinos.
"He [the bull] will tell the intruder 'this is my territory, bug off' and the female will see the male is a little bit more active and not as boring as she thought," he said. "In human terms we are trying to make him compete."
Mr Grun will also study the reaction of the female rhinos to the male dung.
"In cases where we can't inflame the old relationship we will be able to see whether they might be interested in another rhino and if there is a preference for one male over another," he said.
Female rhino dung will also be traded between the zoos to examine male reactions. Hormone levels and nutrition in the dung will also be tested.
"I hope we can find out whether it is testosterone, protein or nutrients which attracts them [rhinos to certain dung]," he said.
"I think it will be hormones. If it is, we can put it [testosterone] on faecals and stimulate them [rhinos] that way. If it is proteins it will be much harder."
Mr Grun hopes to ignite worldwide interest in the white rhinoceros. He expects to complete his study in the next nine months.
- NZPA
