Over 10 000 rhino poached in South Africa during the past decade. Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal. Over 1 million pangolins poached in Africa during the past decade. That equates to one every five minutes.
Over 10 000 rhino poached in South Africa during the past decade. Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal. Over 1 million pangolins poached in Africa during the past decade. That equates to one every five minutes.

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Reducing Risk for Rhinos in Rietvlei Reserve

In early August 2025, the Fisher Foundation in partnership with the Wildlife Emergency Fund worked in collaboration to de-horn the entire rhino population at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Pretoria. An experienced team of wildlife veterinarians was provided by the University of Pretoria, whilst the rhino population and greater reserve is managed by the City of Tshwane. This effort is part of an ongoing annual program in the reserve to support Rhino conservation and reduce threats of poaching.

In early August 2025, the Fisher Foundation in partnership with the Wildlife Emergency Fund worked in collaboration to de-horn the entire rhino population at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Pretoria. An experienced team of wildlife veterinarians was provided by the University of Pretoria, whilst the rhino population and greater reserve is managed by the City of Tshwane. This effort is part of an ongoing annual program in the reserve to support Rhino conservation and reduce threats of poaching….read more

Rietvlei’s unique location between two major South African cities and a short 30-minute drive from Africa’s largest airport make it particularly vulnerable to poaching attempts. In 2016, the reserve increased its security measures and implemented a de-horning strategy which has kept their remaining population safe. A dehorned rhino population disincentivises poachers from killing the animals for their horns and subsequent financial gain and has thus become a last-resort conservation strategy in nature reserves across South Africa.

The dehorning process is a delicate and intensive procedure. First, the rhino must be located and sedated with a carefully calculated dose of tranquilizers. Once the rhino is immobilized, ground teams rush in to cover the rhino’s eyes and ears and help it safely lie down. Thereafter, the veterinarian removes the horn above the rhino’s growth plate, thus not harming the rhino as its horn is made of keratin and contains no nerve endings. Finally, an antiseptic is applied to the horn, and a reversal agent is administered to the rhino, waking it up and allowing it to continue with its daily activities as normal.

During this operation, funding from the Fisher Foundation enabled selected rhinos to be fitted with very-high-frequency (VHF) tracking collars, a further tool employed in conservation efforts to combat poaching. Tracking collars enable real-time tracking of the animals, allowing for a rapid response to potential threats, such as poaching attempts.

Partners:

Wildlife Emergency Fund

WeWild Africa

Photographer: Wiki West

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