Supermodel Elle MacPherson has expressed her "regret" for making comments about the use of a Chinese medicine made from rhinoceros horn - claiming she never "knowingly consumed" any products made from "endangered species". Animal rights campaigners was enraged with the Aussie beauty's interview with Britain's Sunday Times - conducted via Twitter - where she stated that she takes pills containing powdered rhino horn for medicinal purposes.

Macpherson wrote, "(It is) a little bit like crushed bone and fungus in a capsule. Does the job though... Put it this way, works for me."

Campaigners at groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society International immediately condemned Macpherson's remarks and incriminated her of promoting the slaughter of rhinos.

The model has now spoken up to elucidate her remarks. A statement released on Macpherson's behalf reads: "Following comments made in a newspaper article, Elle Macpherson would like to clarify that, whilst she has great respect for Chinese medicine, she is also fundamentally opposed to any activity which is detrimental to the protection of endangered species."

"Ms Macpherson has never knowingly consumed or encouraged the use or consumption of any products which contain material derived from endangered species and regrets any distress or offense that her banter with an interviewer might have caused when repeated out of context."