Warning: Some of the images below are distressing and graphic!
Conservationists in South Africa are now dehorning rhinos so ochers would not kill or hunt them for their horns.
International borders are beginning to open after the coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions are being lifted, this also means that a resurgence in rhino poaching could be seen.
The government of South Africa sent out this warning to conservationist groups.
Game reserves around the country are preparing for an influx of hunters in a bid to protect the endangered species.
Conservationists have dehorned hundreds of the animals across a number of game reserves to make them less appealing to the eyes of the heartless killers.
In order to track the rhinos, 2 helicopters and a number of steams on the ground were sent out by conservation groups.
This was done to tranquilize the animals.
While they are sedated, the rhinos have their horns removed properly and safely.
Rhino horns are very valuable to poachers.
Horns are being sold at incredibly high prices on the black market.
They are mostly used in traditional Asian medicines.
Because of the high demand for rhino horn, conservationists ended up dehorning the beautiful creatures to increase their chances of survival.
Nico Jacobs, the founder of Rhino 911, wants to help out conservationists and conservation efforts for rhinos in the area.
Dr. Lynne MacTavish of the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve is working constantly in finding better ways to save rhinos.
She explained that she had never considered dehorning the animals, but that changed in 2014 so they could increase the chances of survival of the animals.
Dr. MacTavish said that one of her female rhinos was poached in one of the most brutal ways that we humans could think of, and in order to prevent such scenarios in the future, she decided to dehorn the animals.
She said that this is the best way to save their “dwindling” numbers.
The exact numbers of animals that have been dehorned were not shared with the public due to security reasons.