How effective is dehorning rhinos against poaching in South Africa?

Dehorning rhinos in South African reserves reduced poaching incidents by 78%, according to a recent study.

Why are rhino horns so valuable to poachers?

Rhino horns are illegally traded for traditional medicine and status symbols, creating a black market worth over $1 billion.

Were AI cameras effective in preventing rhino poaching in Kruger?

While part of anti-poaching efforts, AI cameras and patrols were found to be less effective at deterring poachers than dehorning.

Home / Environment / Dehorning Rhinos Slashes Poaching by 78%

Dehorning Rhinos Slashes Poaching by 78%

18 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Dehorning rhinos drastically reduced poaching incidents by 78% in South Africa.
Rhino horns, made of keratin, are illegally traded for $874 million to $1.13 billion.
AI cameras and patrols were less effective than dehorning at deterring poachers.

Dehorning Rhinos Slashes Poaching by 78%

Rhino populations have plummeted, with fewer than 28,000 remaining globally as of 2024. Relentless poaching for their horns, driven by demand in traditional medicine and as status symbols, has decimated numbers. For instance, Greater Kruger lost nearly 6.5% of its rhinos annually between 2017 and 2023.

A groundbreaking study across 11 reserves in South Africa's Greater Kruger region revealed that dehorning 2,284 rhinos led to a dramatic 78% drop in poaching incidents. This intervention, costing only 1.2% of the anti-poaching budget, proved significantly more effective than AI-powered detection cameras and ranger patrols.

The illegal rhino horn trade generated between $874 million and $1.13 billion between 2012 and 2022. While dehorning offers a powerful deterrent by removing the primary incentive for poachers, researchers emphasize that supporting rangers and local communities remains crucial for long-term conservation success.