Image: David Chancellor; The decision to dehorn rhinos is a carefully considered conservation tool, undertaken with the utmost care and precision and performed by a dedicated team of veterinarians, biologists, and conservationists. Occurring on national parks and reservations, Rhinos are dehorned to remove the primary incentive for poachers, who ruthlessly target these animals for their valuable horns.

In the heart of South Africa's North West province, a rhino breeding program called Platinum Rhino was, up until recently, home to 2,000 Southern White Rhino, representing 15% of its global population. The 7,800 acres and its rhinos were put up for auction in April of this year by owner John Hume due to no longer being able to afford costs to conserve, protect, and provide supplementary feeding for the animals. After receiving no bids at auction, the unanticipated purchase of ‘Platinum Rhino’ by NGO African Parks is a significant, uplifting, and promising development in the world of rhino conservation.

Image: David Chancellor; Introducing our non-profit partner for the series ‘REWILD’, ForRangers.

Image: David Chancellor; Rhinos are facing a grave threat as a species, primarily due to relentless poaching for their highly prized horns. These horns are believed to possess medicinal properties and are seen as a luxury status symbol in certain Asian cultures. The consequences of the ruthless, illegal trade of rhino horn have been catastrophic. Due to the increasing demand and the staggeringly high price on the black market, the poaching of rhinos emains a constant threat.

Image: David Chancellor; Over the past decade, the white rhino as a species has seen extreme pressure, especially in South Africa due to poaching. Only two Northern White rhino non-breeding females remain in captivity today, and below 13,000 Southern White rhinos remain under constant threat. To fully understand the crisis facing Africa’s Rhino today, it’s important to understand the history of the species and how our previous interactions as a human race have affected them.