To save rhinos, conservationists are removing their horns

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new study in Science finds that dehorning rhinos reduces poaching by 78%, offering a lifeline to one of the world’s most endangered species
• Conducted over seven years across 11 reserves in South Africa, the research shows that removing rhino horns — done humanely under sedation — has proven to be the most effective and cost-efficient anti-poaching strategy to date, significantly lowering the risk of poaching for individual animals

🔭 The context: Africa’s rhino population has plummeted from 500,000 in the early 20th century to fewer than 28,000 today, primarily due to poaching driven by demand for horn in traditional medicine and as a status symbol
• South Africa remains the epicentre of the crisis, where more than 12,700 rhinos have been poached since 2006
• Conservation efforts such as armed patrols, surveillance, and fencing have struggled against sophisticated trafficking networks and systemic corruption

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The loss of rhinos not only threatens biodiversity but also erodes ecosystem stability and the effectiveness of protected areas
• Dehorning has proven to be a life-saving tool, costing around $7,133 per rhino saved — a fraction of typical anti-poaching expenditures
• While it does not eliminate poaching risks entirely and may affect rhino behaviour, conservationists see it as a pragmatic interim measure while broader structural and societal issues are addressed

⏭️ What's next: As dehorning expands across southern and eastern Africa, conservationists stress it must be combined with community engagement, legal reform, and law enforcement to be sustainable
• Debates continue over the possible legalisation of rhino horn trade, which could either fund protection or stimulate further demand
• With COP16 for biodiversity on the horizon, the findings may shape global conservation funding priorities and highlight the urgency of tackling wildlife crime through systemic approaches

💬 One quote: “A live rhino without a horn is a lot better than a dead rhino without a horn,” — Nina Fascione, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation

📈 One stat: Dehorned rhinos had just a 0.6% annual poaching risk, compared to 13% for horned individuals, according to the study

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