Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, countries around the world have implemented lockdown policies, which have affected heavily to the African tourism industry. The disappearance of tourists has given rhino poachers the opportunity to start hunting rhinos in popular tourist areas.
Under the increasing poaching alerts, the UK conservation organization Aspinall Foundation, Rhino 911, and a national park management agency in Africa have collaborated to launch the "Rhino Rescue 2020" confidential operation, which aims to "dehorn" 400 rhinos in Africa within 15 days to protect them from poachers. The scale of this operation is unprecedented and highly confidential. This is to prevent poaching groups from learning about the operation and posing a huge risk. Therefore, the government has required all participants to keep their identities secret, even the national agencies cannot be informed.
How were these rhino horns? Which some Asian countries consider to have medicinal value and are more valuable than gold removed? The process is as follows:
1. Veterinarians will get on helicopters to search for rhinos.
2. After finding the rhinos, they will dart them with M99 tranquilizers from the helicopter.
3. First, observe and confirm that the rhinos are in a safe place and completely calm from the helicopter.
4. The helicopter then lands and the ground team approaches and starts dehorning while the veterinarian is keeping the rhinos stable.
5. The team will use chainsaws to remove the rhino horn.
6. According to international and government regulations, the rhino horns will be classified, weighed, and processed. At the same time, photos of the rhinos will be taken, DNA and other necessary samples will be collected. The entire dehorning process takes about 15-20 minutes.
8. The ground team leaves, and the veterinarian uses reversal agents to recover the rhino from being anesthetiged.
9. The helicopter takes off with the veterinarian, and they monitor the rhinos from the air to confirm that they can stand up and move without difficulties.
Will the rhinos be in danger without their horns, which they use to protect themselves? The action team stated that the only real predators that rhinos face are humans. Several studies have shown that dehorning does not have a negative impact on rhinos. Since their horns are made of keratin, the same component as human hair and nails, they will regrow within three years. The horns, which are worth about £15 million, along with the rhino's photos and information, will be managed by the wildlife conservation team or the conceives or parks.
This operation is not reckless. It was not only negotiated by numerous experts but also involved armed rangers employed by the government to ensure the safety of the team. The entire operation was launched and completed within 15 days, and the exact location was kept confidential until the end of the operation. The team involved in the operation consisted of about 40 people, and the estimated cost was £100,000. Derek Milburn, the regional director of the Aspinall Foundation, said, "Conservationists do not want to dehorn animals unless absolutely necessary, but in challenging times, we need to take practical measures."
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