Dehorned Rhinos: A Battle Against Poaching
Lessening the Horn Harvest could potentially Decrease Rhino Poaching - Decreasing Rhino Population Due to Horn Removal in Wildlife
Taking a proactive approach to rhino horn removal can significantly decrease poaching rates, according to recent research published in Science. Yet, this method isn't foolproof, as the horn can regrow and remain an attraction for poachers. Moreover, poachers may shift their focus to areas where horns haven't been removed.
Poaching rhinos for their horns presents a severe threat to the five rhino species in Africa and Asia. Dehorning, which involves sedating the animal and removing its horn with a chainsaw, has become a popular protective measure since horns grow back annually, about several centimeters per year, just like our hair and fingernails.
Researchers from Nelson Mandela University in George studied data from eleven reserves near the world-famous Kruger National Park between 2017 and 2023. The area is home to an estimated 24,000 African rhinos. By comparing sites with and without horn removal, they found:
Poachers Killed Fewer Rhinos
In total, 1,985 white and black rhinos were poached, which accounts for around 7% of the rhino population in the area each year, according to their study. Horn removal led to a reduction in poaching by roughly three-quarters, decreasing the poaching risk for a horned rhino in a given year to 13%, compared to a risk of 0.6% for a dehorned rhino. Only 1.2% of the total budget was spent on removing the horns of 2,284 animals. In five years, the eleven reserves spent a total of $74 million to combat poaching.
However, poachers still target what's left of the horn stumps, and the focus may shift to other horned populations. Researchers caution that the effects of dehorning on rhinos' biology are still not fully understood.
While poaching of dehorned rhinos in the Kruger National Park continues at relatively high levels, the team suggests that focusing on reducing opportunities and gains from poaching could be more effective. They point out that ineffective judicial systems often allow offenders to evade punishment.
Smuggling to Asia Persists
Rhinos in Africa continue to face severe threats from illegal poaching. Last year alone, 420 white and black rhinos were poached in South Africa according to government figures. Despite the international ban on rhino horn trade, smuggling to Asia, primarily to Vietnam and China, continues. The horn is highly valued in Southeast Asia for cultural and alleged medicinal purposes, with prices reaching tens of thousands of US dollars per kilogram.
South African wildlife reserves have started dehorning rhinos as a preventative measure. However, this practice has sparked a debate among conservationists, with concerns ranging from altered territorial behavior that could affect reproduction to potential attractions for criminals.
- Rhino
- Contraband
- Poacher
- Poaching
- Asia
- Distance
- Africa
- Cape Town
- US Dollar
- Kruger National Park
Additional Insights:
- The studies indicate that dehorning reduces poaching by an average of about 75%, with some reserves seeing even greater reductions up to 78%[1][2][3].
- Dehorning remains ineffective against criminal syndicates that target horn stumps[2]. A holistic approach that addresses both supply and demand is essential for long-term success[5].
- In the ongoing battle against poaching, dehorning rhinos has been found to significantly decrease poaching rates, as evidenced by research in environmental science published in Science.
- However, the study also highlights that this method isn't foolproof as poachers may still target what's left of the horn stumps, and the focus might shift to other horned populations, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that includes addressing medical-conditions related to poaching and promoting health-and-wellness among community members, as part of the community policy.
