Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) have unveiled compelling evidence that dehorning rhinos significantly mitigates the threat of poaching, one of the most pressing challenges facing these majestic animals.
This research focused on 11 critical reserves within South Africa’s Greater Kruger region, home to approximately 25% of Africa’s remaining rhino population.
Co-led by Dr Tim Kuiper, a senior lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, the study meticulously documented the poaching of 1,985 rhinos over seven years, accounting for roughly 6.5% of the population annually.
Such alarming statistics in one of the world’s key wildlife preservation areas underscore the urgency for innovative conservation strategies.
The study’s findings are the fruit of an extensive collaboration involving reserve managers from the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) and a team of scientists from UCT’s Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, along with partners from Nelson Mandela University, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Oxford.
Key collaborations with South African National Parks, the World Wildlife Fund South Africa, and the Rhino Recovery Fund lent further support to this impactful research. Kuiper stated, ‘Dehorning rhinos to reduce incentives for poaching 2,284 rhinos were dehorned across eight reserves was shown to achieve a 78% reduction in poaching, while utilising just 1.2% of the overall rhino protection budget.’
Through a comparative analysis of dehorned versus horned rhino populations, the study confirms that dehorning serves as a remarkably cost-effective intervention.
However, the researchers are quick to note that this method faces its own set of challenges. Some poaching incidents targeting horn stumps and regrowth persist, and recent evidence points to the potential displacement of poaching activities to horned populations elsewhere, raising pressing concerns for conservationists.
The study highlights that traditional anti-poaching strategies, despite a staggering $74 million (R1 billion) invested in various measures ranging from ranger patrols and tracking dogs to helicopters and advanced surveillance technology, have not yielded statistically significant reductions in poaching within the study period from 2017 to 2021.
Moreover, systemic flaws in criminal justice systems mean that many arrested poachers evade punishment, with multiple evidence of repeat offenders noted within the study’s focus area, raising further alarm bells.
This research is not merely about statistical reporting; it stands out for its innovative model of science-policy collaboration. The project was initiated by GKEPF reserve managers who aimed to critically evaluate their anti-poaching investments, showcasing the integration of frontline experience with academic investigation.
Sharon Hausmann, CEO of GKEPF, remarked on the unique approach, stating, ‘The true value of this innovative study lies in its collective critical thinking. Ensuring operations are informed by science while being grounded in practical, real-world experience,’
Dr Markus Hofmeyr of the Rhino Recovery Fund echoed this sentiment, highlighting the study’s illuminating insights into the effective allocation of conservation funding. Similarly, Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland of the University of Oxford lauded the initiative as a model for evaluating conservation interventions under challenging circumstances, underscoring the necessity for robust data collection for effective management strategies.
Professor Res Altwegg from UCT added, ‘This project reinforces the importance of collecting detailed data on both interventions and outcomes, enabling robust analyses that can inform future actions.’
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