RHINODEHORNING

Ezemvelo’s chief executive, Sihle Mkhize says the decision was made with a heavy heart given the departure from their traditional conservation methods.

“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,” Mkhize explained in Tuesday’s Witness.

Dehorning now forms part of a wider strategy aimed at bolstering park defences through increased patrols, enhanced surveillance, integrity testing and improved boundary fences.

The World Wildlife Fund has endorsed this measure as a desperate yet essential strategy to preserve the critically endangered populations of white and black rhinos.

Dr Morné du Plessis, the fund’s South African chief executive, praised Ezemvelo’s commitment, emphasising KwaZulu-Natal’s pivotal role in rhino conservation in Africa and confirming support for Ezemvelo’s broader KZN Guardship Strategy for Rhinoceros.

Additionally, South Africa is reviewing amendments to the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy, which seeks to balance environmental conservation with community benefits. These amendments controversially recognise monetisation strategies such as trophy hunting and wild meat sales, sparking significant debate.

As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa is compelled to report against 23 targets and aim to conserve 30% of all lands and seas by 2030.

The country is at a crossroads, needing to find sustainable ways to manage its wildlife and expand conservation efforts and the ongoing debates reflect a dynamic but challenging journey towards achieving these goals.