Dehorning costs made up only 1.2 percent of the total amount spent on anti-poaching efforts, but it was associated with sharp drops in poaching rates.

Between 2017 and 2023, those areas lost 1,985 rhinos to poaching, despite spending $74 million on various anti-poaching measures, including dehorning, and arresting more than 700 people.

Dehorning may also shift the focus of poachers to horned populations elsewhere. Reserves under study invested $74 million (R1 billion) in anti-poaching interventions from 2017-2021.

Former Director General of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) P. Sesh Kumar shed light on a report by top ...

Dehorned mother rhino and calf. Courtesy Timothy Kuiper The nature reserves we studied had invested US$74 million (R1 billion) in anti-poaching interventions between 2017 and 2021.

The International Rhino Foundation expects to lose $1 million annually. In Malawi, 90 rangers may not receive crucial training. As public spending tightens worldwide, poaching could surge.