Sawubona adventurers! In this new blog entry I'm going to talk to you about rhinos and although I focus on African wildlife, the things I'll tell you below are applicable to all rhinos in the world. A few days ago I shared in my Instagram stories (@las.manchas.del.leopardo) a photo where a group of rangers and vets are amputating the horn of a rhinoceros, and there were some people who wrote to me quite amazed with this technique. So I decided to explain it a bit more in detail here. Here we go!
We all know or have heard about the problem between African wildlife and poachers, whether for meat, trophies or animal parts for traditional Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, rhinos are highly persecuted animals because their horns serve as decorative trophies or for traditional Chinese medicine, so the reserves or sanctuaries that house these animals have to find ways to combat this major problem. The main thing in these places is to have rangers who patrol perimeters, fences that delimit and protect the fauna, anti-poaching plans such as dogs trained to track hunters or camera traps that detect movement and warn the park security of any intruder. All of the above may seem sufficient, but it is not. Even so, rhinos are hunted and their horns sold on the black market. So in addition to proactive measures, preventive measures must be taken.
Horn amputation:
Amputation is an intrusive procedure and, like any immobilisation, there is a risk to the rhino during the operation. The more frequently rhinoceroses are immobilised, the greater the risk. It is also incredibly expensive, due to the effort involved in finding the animals and the costs associated with the immobilisation process, especially if it is required on a recurring basis. It is estimated that it would cost around 5.2 to 8 million euros for a single amputation of all rhinos in the Kruger National Park. (In practice, one could never expect to do this for 100% of the population: some will go into hiding successfully and a pregnant rhino should never be sedated).
This procedure together with anti-poaching measures should stop them, but even so, there are cases of amputated rhinos being killed. This is due to the fact that between 90 and 93% of the horn is amputated so that it does not grow deformed, but they are hunted for this piece that remains or for pure revenge.
We should consider whether rhinos really need their horns. The evolutionary importance of horns in rhinoceroses is not entirely clear and may include a choice of partner or defence against predators. Rhinoceroses are known to use their horns for various behavioural functions, defence of territories, defence and guidance of young and foraging. Removal of the horn in males may decrease their ability to retain territory or status.
On a positive note, amputation has reduced combat-related mortality among black rhinos in Zimbabwe. However, it can also decrease the value of rhinos, whether for photo or sport hunting tourism or as a possible sale or trade with other reserves or parks.
Horn poisoning:
Horn poisoning first appeared on the conservation scene in 2010. Holes are drilled directly into the horn and highly toxic ectoparasiticides are injected, which are used to control ticks. This product is not lethal to humans in small amounts, but symptoms from ingestion can include but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting and convulsions (all depending on the dose). In addition to the poison, some have also dyed their horns with a brightly coloured dye in an attempt to ward off potential poachers, but this dye is lost through rubbing with use.
Leaving aside the moral problems of poisoning people in a distant country, there are a couple of drawbacks. The idea is based on two assumptions: firstly, that poachers will be deterred from killing rhinos with poisoned horns (although the poacher knows that the horn is poisoned, he can sell the horns to a middleman for a large sum of money and will not admit that the horn is compromised) secondly, that consumers will be deterred from buying rhino horn for fear that they will be poisoned.
These are methods that focus on the rhinoceros as an individual, but we should fight more by funding projects that protect the general population from rhinoceroses and take action against the criminal unions involved. Focus on providing more resources for anti-poaching and rhino monitoring teams, tougher sentences for wildlife crimes, and better law enforcement and cross-border cooperation by Interpol, national police forces and investigators of illegal trade.
I hope to have brought you closer to this problem and its possible solutions.
Impilo enh adventurers!
Comments