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A day never to be forgotten…

As I found myself transfixed on the silhouette of our beloved Mariepskop, perfectly contrasted against the backdrop of thick overcast clouds, my ears were alerted, to an approaching rumble that signaled intent.

As the helicopter’s blades sliced through the crisp early morning air, the bush sprang to life with an expectant energy that was substantiated by the presence of game viewers filled with people on a mission – a mission to change the fate of some rather special characters.

Visit Hoedspruit and Buya Buya Tours (our sister company) had the unique privilege of being invited to this extraordinary conservation effort, where some of our very precious rhinos were  dehorned.

Hoedspruit is a home that I’ve come to recognize not just as a safari/tourist hub but as a bastion of conservation and little did my colleague Nick and myself realise just how impactful the day would turn out to be, as we witnessed first-hand the lengths to which our community goes to protect these majestic animals.

The operation, arranged by My Africa, was both emotional and eye-opening. As I stood alongside the dedicated team — including K9 security, whose quiet vigilance ensured the safety of the respective reserve — I realized that this was more than just an effort to save a species, it was a race against time to outsmart the relentless threat of greed and poaching.

While some may feel sorrow seeing these magnificent creatures without their horns, the truth is that this act of dehorning is probably their greatest shield. It’s a deterrent, a vital step that ensures Rhinos are no longer targeted by poachers who take their lives for the very thing that we now remove to save them.

So be before I continue a heartfelt thank you to Moditlo River Lodge for inviting us to be part of this remarkable occasion. The experience was a profound reminder that our role in conservation is not just about protecting the present — it’s about preserving a future where rhinos can live free from the shadow of extinction.

Join me as we unpack the much-debated process of dehorning

DEHORNING: THE LAST RESORT IN A CRISIS  

Rhino dehorning is a decision made with great care. It’s an invasive, labour-intensive, and costly procedure, with each operation costing between R10,000 and R15,000 per rhino. Yet, despite these challenges, dehorning has become a crucial weapon in the fight for their survival.

As I stood there, witnessing the procedure unfold, it struck me just how dire the situation truly is. The poaching crisis is fueled by an insatiable black-market demand for rhino horn, which can fetch an astounding $60,000 to $100,000 per kilogram, turning these gentle giants into prime targets. 

I had always imagined a rhino’s horn as a symbol of power and majesty, yet here it was, being removed in a matter of minutes. The goal? To make these animals less attractive to poachers. It felt counterintuitive at first—why strip these creatures of their iconic horns? But as the operation progressed, I understood that this was an act of necessity, one driven by the urgent need to protect these animals from extinction.

 

PLAYERS IN THE FIELD: A SYMPHONY OF COLLABORATION 

A dehorning operation is an intricate ballet involving multiple players, each with a critical role. As we gathered at our rendezvous that morning, the team was a well-coordinated unit of pilots, veterinarians, anti-poaching rangers and guests. The helicopter, piloted by a local stalwart, was the first to spring into action. It lifted off to locate the rhinos, scouring the vast terrain of the reserve from above.

Once a rhino was spotted, the veterinarian, darted it with a tranquilizer from the air. This, too, was a delicate process, as the dose had to be precisely measured to immobilize the rhino without causing undue stress or harm.

Now I’m not one for being economical with the truth but watching the giant creature slowly succumb to the sedation was both emotionally unsettling and humbling. These animals, often weighing upwards of two tonnes, are brought to their knees in mere moments—but always with the utmost care and expertise.

Once the rhino was safely sedated, we moved in. One team worked to cover the animal’s eyes and ears to reduce its sensory overload, while others set about the task of getting the rhino in its proper resting position so that the horn can be removed. For this, a chainsaw is used—a tool chosen not for its brutality, but for its speed and efficiency.

The entire process was over in less than 20 minutes. The stump was filed down to ensure smooth regrowth, and a special oil was applied to prevent cracking.

What struck me most during the process was the precision and care involved. Every step was calculated to minimize the rhino’s discomfort, and the veterinarians and rangers never lost sight of the fact that they were working with a living, breathing animal. It was clear that, despite the invasive nature of dehorning, the rhino’s well-being was always the top priority.

 

    WHY DEHORNING? A NECESSARY EVIL

    In an ideal world, rhino dehorning would be unnecessary. The horns of rhinos are integral to their identity and are used for various natural behaviours like foraging and defending territory. 

    Removing them changes the animal’s way of life, but when faced with the choice between a hornless rhino or their demise, the decision becomes stark. Poaching has decimated rhino populations across Africa, and in areas like Hoedspruit, it is a constant threat.

    Dehorning has been proven to reduce poaching rates significantly. Poachers, often operating with ruthless efficiency, tend to avoid rhinos that have already been dehorned, knowing the payoff is much smaller. In smaller reserves, where monitoring rhino populations is more feasible, dehorning has been a successful deterrent. 

    However, dehorning is not without its downsides. It is a costly endeavour, requiring repeated operations every year or two to ensure that the horn doesn’t regrow enough to become a target again​. 

    Additionally, poachers don’t always leave dehorned rhinos alone. In some tragic cases, rhinos are still killed for the small stump of horn that remains, or simply out of spite. Moreover, removing the horn doesn’t entirely negate the poaching threat—it merely shifts the risk to other rhinos​. 

    THE EMOTIONAL WEIGHT OF THE EXPERIENCE  

    As I stood by, watching this massive animal slowly wake from its anaesthesia, a wave of emotions came over me. On the one hand, I was heartened by the collective efforts of everyone involved, from the pilots in the sky to the rangers on the ground. But on the other hand, there was a sadness that lingered. I couldn’t help but feel that we, as humans, have driven the situation to this point—where the only way to protect these magnificent animals is to strip them of their identity.

    To quote a much beloved veterinarian in Hoedspruit, “A hornless rhino is better than a dead rhino”…and its these very words that jogged my awareness to the gravitas of the situation as we packed up the equipment and headed back to base.

    The rhino, though groggy, was on its feet again, and within minutes, it disappeared into the thick bush, as if nothing had happened.

     

    HOEDSPRUIT: A CONSERVATION HUB

    Beyond dehorning, Hoedspruit is home to a range of initiatives dedicated to the long-term preservation of its rhino populations.

    Various organizations and private reserves frequently collaborate to provide critical veterinary care, deploy anti-poaching units, and implement monitoring systems that track rhino movements and health.

    These combined efforts are further bolstered by the involvement of the local community and conservation-focused tourism. Visitors have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities like rhino tagging and educational tours, which help raise awareness and generate funds for ongoing conservation efforts.

    Through these collaborative and multifaceted approaches, Hoedspruit undeniably plays a critical role in safeguarding the future of our rhinos. The combination of proactive conservation strategies has significantly reduced the threat posed by poachers in the region. By integrating community involvement and conservation tourism, Hoedspruit has created a sustainable model that not only protects wildlife but also educates and empowers visitors and locals alike.

     

     A CALL TO ACTION

    As I reflect on our experience, I realize that rhino dehorning is not just a conservation tool—it’s a statement to those who seek to destroy our heritage, we’ve drawn a line in the sand, nailed our colours to the mast, demonstrating the lengths we will go to protect a species we have endangered. The process may be gruelling, but it is also a testament to the resilience of both rhinos and the people who work tirelessly to save them. 

    For anyone planning a trip to Hoedspruit, I urge you to take the time to learn about the conservation efforts happening here. Visit the reserves, speak with the experts, and, if possible, witness a dehorning operation for yourself. 

    It’s an experience that will stay with you long after you leave, reminding you of the ongoing battle to preserve one of Africa’s most iconic animals.

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