The study analysed data from 11 reserves in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa between 2017 and 2023.
The study analysed data from 11 reserves in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa between 2017 and 2023. This landscape is a critical global stronghold that conserves around 25% of all Africa’s rhinos. During the seven-year period, 1,985 rhinos (about 6,5% of the Greater Kruger area population annually) were poached for their horns.
Lead author, Dr Tim Kuiper of Nelson Mandela University (George campus) said: ‘Dehorning rhinos to reduce incentives for poaching (2,284 rhinos were dehorned across eight reserves) was found to achieve a 78% reduction in poaching using just 1.2% of the overall rhino protection budget.’ This was based on comparison between sites with and without dehorning as well as changes in poaching before and after dehorning.
The study did show, however, that some poaching of dehorned rhinos for horn stumps and regrowth continued, while more recent evidence (2024-2025) since the conclusion of the study in 2023 suggests this is a growing challenge. Dehorning may also shift the focus of poachers to horned populations elsewhere.
Read more at: University of Oxford
A dehorned white rhino mother and calf in the Greater Kruger Region. (Photo Credit: Tim Kuiper)
