An average amount of over 1.2kg was removed in this small single population of white rhino . All the animals shown are 2 years and older ( younger animals were dehorned , but not part of the stats ). Almost 3kg of horn could still be removed in the 12-year-old bull . It is no wonder poachers still kill rhino that was dehorned by the conventional square cut method .
Figure 8 : The use of protective shields , in a range of different sizes , provides both safety to the operator and the rhino and aids in achieving a much lower profile as one is able to cut closer to the rhino ’ s head without injuring the animal .
Why is the Kock and Morkel method so much more effective in preventing poaching as compared to the conventional square cut ? The obvious answer is the end result of the dehorning procedure – a low profile look . Compare Figure 1 with Figure 6 and the difference becomes obvious . The reality is that it not only appears that more horn was removed , but that quite a substantial amount of additional horn is indeed removed by performing the Kock and Morkel method ( Table 1 ).
|
Horn |
Excess |
1 |
3.1 |
1.64 |
2 |
2.24 |
1.26 |
3 |
3.88 |
1.13 |
4 |
6.68 |
2.97 |
5 |
1.69 |
0.77 |
6 |
2.49 |
1.03 |
7 |
2.77 |
0.63 |
8 |
1.48 |
0.92 |
9 1.57 0.75 Mean 2.88 1.23
Table 1 : Horn weights ( in kilograms ) of a population of nine dehorned white rhino , 2 years and older . ‘ Horn ’ indicates the weight of horn removed by the conventional square cut method . ‘ Excess ’ refers to all the additional horn removed by the Kock and Morkel method . Note : ‘ horn ’ weights are slightly lower as this population was dehorned 3 years ago using the conventional method .
It is a mere matter of risk equals reward . And with such a high reward ( 1kg = R1 million or so ) poachers are willing to take that risk . That said , even effective dehorning is not a standalone measure . It needs to be combined with other adequate anti-poaching measures . In those instances where it is combined with other measures , the poaching rate is zero . In the past three years we , in conjunction with other colleagues that we have trained in this method , have dehorned over 1000 rhinos in South Africa using the Kock and Morkel method . Not a single one of these rhinos have been poached thereafter .
Many of these populations were under severe poaching pressure , and once dehorned the poaching stopped immediately . Unfortunately , if often ends up that the poaching moves to other non-dehorned populations .
We thus need a unified tactical approach to dehorn the rhino population in this country . This will buy us time , and hopefully enough time so we can find a long term strategy to prevent rhino poaching .
The fact is not a single rhino needs to die . Dehorning is a sustainable option . I believe legalized trade has the potential to positively change the future of the rhino . For a short video on how dehorning is performed on a small private game ranch please watch : https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = OTwLP- VxBMM .
If the horn from this single dehorning operation could be sold it would fund the protection and conservation of that population of rhino for a number of years . Yes , there is also the added benefit of the farmers involved making lots of money . But there is also the potential for it to better the lives of the farm workers , the neighbouring communities and the country as a
2016 JULY 19