Cape Town, South Africa (AP) – For over 30 years, African wildlife conservationists have viewed chainsaw dehorning of rhinos as a necessary evil to protect these iconic endangered species from poaching. From poaching.
Though they aimed for impactful change, evidence remained scarce.
Now, a recent survey published Thursday in the Academic Journal Science reports that innovative dehorning methods have significantly reduced poaching in Kruger National Park and its nearby game reserves in northern South Africa. These areas are particularly vulnerable to poaching.
The findings from a seven-year study completed in 2023 indicate that dehorning rhinos can help these animals survive, even if it results in some loss of their horns.
Consistent reduction in poaching
The conclusion is unmistakable. Illegal markets in Southeast Asia and China continue to crave rhino horns for use in traditional medicine.
However, Tim Cuyper, a biodiversity scientist at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and the lead author of the study, noted that long-term data across multiple sites where rhinos have been dehorned is unprecedented. Conducted from January 2017 to December 2023, the study spanned 11 reserves in the Kruger area, comparing data from eight reserves that engaged in dehorning with three that did not.
Data from these reserves were analyzed both before and after the removal of rhino horns.
According to Kuiper, the study confirms that dehorning consistently reduces poaching. Over 2,000 rhino dehornings led to a 78% decrease in poaching across these eight reserves, demonstrating the effectiveness of this controversial intervention.
“Removing horns is a significant part of protecting rhinos,” Kuiper remarked. “While it may seem a necessary evil, it’s very effective and has undoubtedly saved hundreds of rhino lives.”
South Africa hosts a significant population of both black and white rhinos. Countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya also harbor considerable numbers. By the mid-1990s, poaching had left approximately 17,500 white rhinos and 6,500 black rhinos remaining globally, according to the Save the Rhino organization.
Dehorning not universally accepted
Dehorning rhinos started in South Africa in 1989, yet it has faced substantial scrutiny.
Opposition has come from animal rights advocates and conservationists alike, who question how dehorning affects the rhino’s well-being and the future of a hornless species.
Vanessa Duss, a South African rhino researcher not involved in the study, explained that rhinos rely on their horns for defense against predators, territorial disputes, and foraging, especially among black rhinos. Some evidence suggests that horned rhinos will adapt their movement patterns to survive in smaller territories.
She added that while the complete effects of dehorning are still not fully understood, the study indicated no negative impact on rhino reproduction or survival rates.
“Current evidence suggests that the ecological costs of dehorning are outweighed by its benefits,” Duss stated. The procedure now takes about ten minutes and inflicts minimal pain, with sedation techniques involving blindfolds and earmuffs. This method also enables the collection of microchip samples for research purposes.
Part of a broader strategy
Conservationists agree that dehorning alone cannot eliminate rhino poaching, with Kuiper viewing it as a temporary measure. Enhanced law enforcement and improved support for frontline game rangers are also crucial.
South Africa has made significant strides in saving rhinos from extinction; however, over 400 rhinos are still killed by poachers each year in the country.
The dehorning study involved collaboration between three South African universities, the University of Oxford in the UK, and various game reserve managers and scientists. The South African National Parks Service, World Wildlife Fund, and Rhino Recovery Fund also participated.
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Source: apnews.com