The Kruger National Park (KNP) regularly does rhino dehorning maintenance and installs trackers to trace these animals’ movements to ensure their safety.
Another such dehorning of a rhino was done in the park today, July 24, with the media in attendance.
The USA ambassador, Reuben Brigety, was also present to observe the process and to determine how they could assist the KNP in anti-poaching.
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According to KNP’s wildlife veterinarian, Dr Lufuno Netshivhadulu, the dehorning of the rhinos is done in such a way that the animals aren’t harmed. The entire process is undertaken by professional staff. “Since we started dehorning the rhinos, we have seen a decrease in the poaching numbers in the park. We are aware that poachers are targeting the horns for their so-called health and sexual powers. Once the horns have been removed, they are useless to them. That is why we do maintenance time and time again; to ensure that the rhinos grow big and do not attract poachers to kill them,” he said.
According to Netshivhadulu, the tracker installation is also of huge benefit, as the rhinos’ movements can be traced and they can be found and prepared for dehorning.
