Dehorning Rhinos Slashes Poaching in South Africa's Greater Kruger
- Researchers led by Dr. Tim Kuiper published a seven-year study on June 5 showing that dehorning 2,284 rhinos across eight Greater Kruger reserves cut poaching by 78%.
- The study arose from reserve managers' concern over persistent rhino losses despite $74 million spent on anti-poaching efforts between 2017 and 2021, with systemic corruption and ineffective law enforcement undermining results.
- The research analyzed 1,985 poaching incidents over 2.4 million hectares spanning 11 reserves, revealing that dehorning reduces poaching incentives by removing valuable horns, though 111 dehorned rhinos were still killed.
- Dr. Kuiper reported that dehorning rhinos, which accounted for just a small fraction of the total conservation funding, resulted in a 95% decrease in poaching risk—from 13% down to 0.6% annually; nonetheless, issues such as horn regrowth and persistent poaching due to leftover horn stumps remain challenges.
- The study concludes that dehorning is a highly effective but temporary tactic that can buy time to tackle deeper drivers like horn demand, inequality, corruption, and criminal networks, emphasizing the need to empower local communities.
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141 Articles
The research evaluated the interventions carried out in the African reserves of the Greater Kruger from 2017 to 2023
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Petition: South Africa Must Act Now to Stop Rhino Poaching - One Green Planet
Rhino deaths in South Africa have surged—103 killed in just 3 months. Urge the government to act now before more are lost forever. The post Petition: South Africa Must Act Now to Stop Rhino Poaching appeared first on One Green Planet.
Madrid. The decorning of rhinoceros results in a drastic reduction in poaching of these endangered animals, according to a data analysis of 11 reserves in South Africa between 2017 and 2023.
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