A seven-year study published in Science has confirmed that removing rhino horns helps reduce poaching in wildlife reserves near Kruger National Park in northern South Africa. From 2017 to 2023, researchers studied 11 reserves. In eight of these reserves, more than 2,000 rhinos were dehorned, and poaching dropped by 78%. This region holds around 25% of the world’s rhino population and is highly targeted by illegal hunters, especially due to strong demand for rhino horns in parts of Southeast Asia and China, where they are used in traditional medicine.

The study was carried out by researchers from South African universities and Oxford University. The findings provide the first long-term evidence supporting dehorning as a successful method of protection. Horns grow back, so they must be removed every one to two years. Removing them reduces the value of rhinos to poachers. While some animal rights groups have questioned the method, the study found no harm to the rhinos’ health or ability to reproduce. Another expert said that although horns help with defense and social behavior, the ecological impact appears to be small. The procedure takes about ten minutes and includes sedation, blindfolds, and microchipping. Experts say dehorning is not a permanent solution, but it can be helpful in the short to mid-term. The project was supported by conservation groups, universities, and park authorities.