Study: Cutting Rhino Horn is actually a reduction in wild hunting!

Rhino, as one of the protected animal species, is increasingly threatened with extinction due to wild hunting. Rhino Horn, which is traded illegally, especially in several countries in Asia such as China and Vietnam, is the main target for hunters. To deal with this threat, the practice of cutting rhino horn, or dehorning has been introduced as a step of conservation.

According to a recent study published in the journal Science on June 5, the cutting of rhino horn proved effective in reducing wild hunting rates by 78%. This study involved an analysis of 2,000 rhinos for seven years in 11 nature reserves in South Africa, especially around the Kruger National Park. Researchers compare eight reserves that routinely cut into horizons with three other reserves that do not.

The main author of the study, the Kuiper team, a biodiversity scientist at Nelson Mandela University, stated that the findings showed that the cutting of rhino horn could significantly reduce hunting. “Cutting rhino horn may be felt as a cruel act, but the results show that this practice is very effective and has saved many rhino lives,” said Kuiper.

Although this research shows promising results, cutting rhino horn is not always widely accepted and reaps controversy. Some animal rights activists and conservation experts doubt their long -term impact on the welfare of rhino. Vanessa Duthe, a rhino researcher in South Africa who was not involved in this study, emphasized that rhino horn has an important role in self defense and social interaction of the rhino.

Duthe stated, “We have not fully understood the impact of cutting rhino horn, but so far, research shows that this practice has not had a negative impact on the birth rate or death of rhino.” In the cutting process, the rhino is anesthetized and protected from stress, and can be equipped with microcip for further research.

Conservation experts agree that the cutting of rhino horn is not the main solution to stop poaching. Kuiper emphasized that this action only provides short to medium -term solutions. In an effort to protect the rhino to the fullest, a more assertive law enforcement is needed and concrete support for forest guards.

Although South Africa has made many efforts to save rhino, in fact more than 400 rhinos are still killed every year by poachers. With this research, the hope is that the government, the community, and conservation institutions can better understand the complexity of this problem and find a more sustainable solution to protect the rhino from the threat of extinction.