Ezemvelo forced to start rhino dehorning
Dehorning implemented in bid to reduce high levels of rhino poaching
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has stepped up rhino dehorning in a bid to contain the high level of poaching in the province
The entity said it has taken the “decisive” action in response to the alarming surge in poaching incidents, particularly within the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), last year.
The number of poaching incidents have been increasing significantly in the past two years, with 102 rhinos poached in 2021, while 244 and 325 animals were poached in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Despite concerted efforts to stop poaching, the province lost 325 rhinos in 2023, with a significant 307 of those poached within HiP.
To address this crisis, and in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa, Ezemvelo initiated an HiP dehorning programme last week, with efforts now well under way.
Expressing the gravity of this decision, Ezemvelo chief executive Sihle Mkhize said it was with a heavy heart that the organisation decided to dehorn the rhinos.
“Rhino dehorning goes against the grain of what we stand for, but the persistent threat posed by poachers has necessitated more drastic measures to protect our rhinos,” he said.
Mkhize said the dehorning initiative marked a pivotal moment in Ezemvelo’s anti-poaching efforts, aligning with proven strategies implemented elsewhere, such as in Kruger National Park.
He emphasised that while dehorning was not a panacea, it formed part of a comprehensive approach to disincentivise poachers targeting horned animals.
“Ezemvelo remains committed to the implementation of the recently approved Ezemvelo KZN Guardianship Strategy for Rhinoceros, which aims to significantly reduce poaching incidents. This strategy, endorsed by the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation board, sets ambitious goals to mitigate poaching, complementing ongoing efforts which include intensification of anti-poaching patrols and surveillance, improvement of boundary fences and ranger living conditions, integrity testing and now dehorning,” he said.
While dehorning is costly and requires repeated efforts every 18 to 24 months, Mkhize extended his heartfelt gratitude to WWF for its pivotal financial support, emphasising the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration for conservation success.
He underscored the significance of creating an enabling environment for private sectors, NGOs and local communities to collectively safeguard wildlife.
WWF South Africa chief executive Dr Morné du Plessis said the decision to dehorn was not taken lightly and was one of a wide range of interventions that seek to simultaneously remove the potential reward of rhino poaching, while increasing the likelihood of being caught.
“The province of KZN has played a critical role in rhino conservation in Africa, which is why we are committing resources towards supporting the authorities in their efforts to protect rhinos. Beyond the dehorning programme, we will also be supporting Ezemvelo in its broader efforts to implement the Ezemvelo KZN Guardianship Strategy for Rhinoceros,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wildlife Ranching South Africa said it was “deeply troubled” by the imminent mass euthanisation of lions as part of the way to stop captive lion breeding.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment seeks to close down captive lion farms for commercial purposes.
Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo said closing down of captive lion farms would not affect Ezemvelo as they did not have any lion breeding facilities.
“We have not authorised any lion breeding in the province. It is unlikely that any stakeholder in the province will be affected,” said Mntambo.