Rhino Dehorning: A Drastic Move to Save Them

This is brutal. But it helps…
Dehorning is a desperate measure to stop its poaching & extinction.

The rhino's horn is a tuft of growing hair tightly packed and glued together by secretions. Largest consumer are Vietnamese people for status symbol. Strange😒😒
Credit:Jock Safari pic.twitter.com/dKnSZqouOu

— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) September 22, 2023

A video circulating on social media shows the dehorning of a rhino with a mechanical saw. This drastic measure is aimed at protecting rhinos from being killed for their horns. While the procedure is not without its challenges and controversy, it stands as a temporary solution in the race to protect rhinos from extinction.

Rhino populations are dwindling rapidly due to poaching. Poachers kill them for their valuable horns, which fetch high prices on the black market. Dehorning reduces the incentive for poachers, as a hornless rhino is less attractive.

Dehorning is indeed painful, but it's performed under strict guidelines to minimize harm. Local anaesthesia is used, and experts conduct the procedure.

This is not a long-term solution, though. To secure rhinos' future, we must tackle the root causes of poaching, including poverty and demand for horn products, while also improving law enforcement and conservation efforts. We need a comprehensive approach to ensure rhinos thrive without the constant threat of extinction.