Rhino Dehorning Missions in South Africa

About This Project

Summary

Loop Abroad has hosted five rhino de-horning missions in South Africa, and we have 3 more scheduled for summer 2024. These missions bring together veterinarians from across the US and the world to help remove the horns from wild rhinos to save them from poachers. In the past 15 years alone, rhino poaching has increased an approximate 9000%, and dehorning saves these critically endangered animals. These unique missions provided cross-cultural strategies to save rhinos across South Africa.

Goals & Objectives

Our goal on each project was to safely and humanely dehorn 20-25 rhinos. We brought together a skills team, who was then trained to assist, as we worked with our host organizations to carry out these dehorning missions. Some missions also include elephant collaring to track wild elephants.

Results & Impact

On a single mission, we can dehorn up to 25 rhinos, preventing 25 senseless deaths and about $2.5 million dollars of horn from entering the black market. With an estimated 27,000 wild rhinos remaining on Earth, the impact of these missions is huge on the chance for species survival.