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Photography: Wiki West
Protecting Wildlife in the Heart of the City: Dehorning at Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Rietvlei Nature Reserve, a 4,000-hectare sanctuary nestled between Johannesburg and Pretoria, stands as a vital refuge for South Africa’s wildlife amidst one of the most densely populated regions in Southern Africa. Home to over 1,600 large mammals, including rhinos, cheetahs, zebras, and 400 bird species, its urban surroundings make it a hotspot for potential poaching.
We continue our efforts to prevent poaching by leading the annual dehorning of Rietvlei’s entire rhino population, most recently in September 2024.
The Dehorning Process
Dehorning is a delicate and resource-intensive procedure designed to significantly reduce the appeal of rhinos to poachers. The process involves several critical steps:
- Locating Rhinos: Using helicopters and ground vehicles, teams locate individual rhinos across the reserve, ensuring they are not in dangerous areas like marshlands during the procedure.
- Immobilization: Rhinos are sedated with a carefully calculated dose of tranquilizers by an expert wildlife veterinarian.
- Horn Removal: A chainsaw or similar tool is used to precisely remove the horn, which is made of keratin and contains no nerve endings, making the process painless for the rhino.
- Post-Procedural Care: Antiseptics are applied to prevent infections, and reversal agents are administered to wake the rhino.
Dehorning is safe, painless, and has no lasting impact on the rhino’s health or behavior. However, rhino horns grow back at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per year, meaning dehorning must be repeated every 12 to 24 months.
Horn Protocol
After removal, the horn undergoes a meticulous documentation and security process to prevent its entry into illegal markets. It is immediately weighed, measured, and photographed from multiple angles and DNA samples are taken. The horn is cataloged with a unique identification number linked to the rhino’s microchip data and DNA profile.
The Challenges
Each dehorning operation costs between $600 and $1,000, including costs for helicopters, tranquilizers, and post-operative care. WeWild Africa is committed to continuing this critical conservation work to protect the species.
Why it Matters
Rietvlei’s proximity to urban areas makes it uniquely vulnerable. Rhino dehorning is not a permanent solution but is an effective deterrent to poaching. By removing the horns, rhinos are less likely to be targeted by poachers, allowing them to live safe, healthy lives in their natural habitats.
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Wiki West
- September 10, 2024
