Despite the ongoing threat of poaching, Babanango Game Reserve’s rhino dehorning efforts have been instrumental in safeguarding these magnificent creatures.
Zululand, South Africa (13 September 2024) – The successful dehorning of the last rhino in Babanango Game Reserve marks a significant milestone in the fight to protect these endangered animals ahead of World Rhino Day in September.
The initiative is part of the reserve’s conservation strategy to combat poaching and safeguard these threatened animals.
With the assistance of Wildlife Solutions Africa, this latest operation took place over two days, concluding the horn-trimming cycle of the entire population for 2024.
The procedure was led by reserve ecologist Stuart Dunlop and local wildlife vet Dr Ryan van Deventer, who worked together to ensure the safe sedation, health checks and dehorning of the rhinos.
Rhino dehorning is a way to protect rhinos from poachers without hurting them. Rhino horns are like human fingernails, so most horns can be removed without causing pain to the animal.
“The operation was a great success with several rhinos having their horns trimmed. The entire rhino population on Babanango Game Reserve has now been dehorned and this would not have been possible without a dedicated conservation team, including support from wildlife vets, security teams, and most of all, our conservation donors” says Stuart Dunlop, Reserve Ecologist, Babanango Game Reserve.
The reserve’s Wildlife Monitor, Bongani Khumalo, emphasised rhinos as an important aspect of African wildlife.
He said that monitoring these animals on a daily basis is a demanding, necessary and very exciting job.
“Knowing that all the animals that we look after are still alive and in good condition, makes us as monitors proud to do what we do, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Khumalo added.
In the first half of 2024, 229 rhinos were poached across South Africa, nearly the same as in 2023, despite a reduced population.
Rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal are still in danger because of poachers who sell their horns mostly in Asia.
The game reserve’s rhino operations have been supported by many conservation donors and partners nationally and internationally, enabling these vital interventions to take place for the protection of our rhinos.
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