How removing rhinos’ horns could save the species: Study

After decades in practice, we're finding out for the first time whether intentionally cutting off horns of rhinos can actually save their lives

The controversial process of sedating rhinos and removing their horns with a power saw has been in place for more than 30 years

And a new study shows it's likely saving the endangered species. Researchers spent seven years studying the rhinoceros population in and around Kruger National Park in northern South Africa

which is home to 25% of the world's rhinos. Their study, published Thursday in the academic journal Science

found dehorning rhinos reduced poaching in game reserves by nearly 80%. Poachers seek out rhinos for their horns, which are then sold on the black market

Buyers are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for the horns, which are commonly used in traditional medicine in Asian countries like China and Vietnam

and are falsely believed to treat fever, pain, and low sex drive

The study, a collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and government officials, also found no statistical evidence traditional anti interventions rangers detection cameras dog tracking and helicopters caused significant reductions in rhino poaching even though they cost millions of dollars and are successful at

detecting hundreds of poachers. And while dehorning rhinos is a controversial tactic

the process poses a very low risk to the animal and does not hurt it, according to the Earth

Island Institute, a non-profit environmental group. It's also not a perfect system. A significant

stump on the horn remains, even after dehorning, and some poachers still kill rhinos for this

section. The horns also grow back, so the dehorning process has to be repeated every one and a half to

two years. There are also concerns rhinos without their horns show behavioral changes that can

impact their ability to establish territories. Poaching has a markedly bigger effect on rhino

biology, behavior, well-being than dehorning does. So it is a trade-off, but ideally long-term

won't be necessary. And I think we do need continued research to maybe uncover things

ways that this operation affects rhinos in ways we don't yet understand

To keep up with all the latest headlines, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to san.com