Rhino conservation efforts documented

Rhino conservation efforts documented Dumisani Zwane, officer in charge of game capture and field operations at Ezemvelo, dehorning a rhino at HluhluweiMfolozi Park 4 Screenshot Wild Hope Rhino Ops Teams dehorned up to 67 rhinos in a single day Tracey Turner THE behindthescenes work of rhino conservation is the focus of a new documentaiy highlighting successful antipoaching interventions at HluhluweiMfolozi Park HiP . Rhino Ops documents Ezemvelo's largescale dehoming operation at HiP, carried out in partnership with WWFSA, in which 1 071 rhinos were dehorned in three months since April 2024. The film was produced by Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers NEWF , in partnership with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Ezemvelo, and a team of emerging African filmmakers. It offers an intimate look into rhino conservation and the courageous work done by Ezemvelo 's Game Capture unit. "The film highlights the human stories behind the operation, focusing on Dumisani Zwane officer in charge of game capture and field operations at Ezemvelo whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the success of the programme," said Noel Kok, executive director of NEWF. "We wanted to shift the narrative and show what's possible when conservation and creativity come together." Massive gains in conservation The operation, though logistically complex and costly, has proven highly effective, with poaching incidents in HiP dropping to single digits. Between 2009 and 2024, HiP lost nearly 40% of its rhino population, while Kruger National Park saw a staggering 75% decline. The surge was driven by demand in Asian markets, where rhino horn, made of keratin, is falsely believed to have medicinal properties. "Dehorning alone is not a silverbullet solution, but it's a vital deterrent. While we would have preferred not to dehorn our rhinos, we have come to accept that it is better to have a dehorned rhino than a dead one," said Zwane. He said its success depends on measures like smart fencing, drones and camera traps. Dehorning explained The documentary captures the dehoming process, from helicopter darting to ground recovery by a skilled team of rangers, veterinarians and field staff. Rhinos are tranquilised and blindfolded, and their horns carefully removed just above the growth point, reportedly a painless and quick process for the animal. Samples are collected for research, and each rhino is microchipped and Vnotched for tracking. Teams dehorned up to 67 rhinos in a single day. Maintenance dehoming is scheduled annually to prevent horn regrowth from making rhinos vulnerable again. "Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is proud to share this story with the world, a story of resilience and hope," said Vuyiswa Radebe, head biodiversity conservation operations at Ezemvelo. "Rhino Ops is a testament to what can be achieved when conservationists, field staff, filmmakers and communities work together to protect one of Africa's most iconic and important species." Where to watch Rhino Ops is available on Wild Hope TV and has been submitted to international film festivals. It will also be used for educational screenings and community engagement programmes, helping to raise awareness on rhino conservation. Scan the QR code to watch the 16minute documentary. "It is better to have a dehorned rhino than a dead one" Dumisani Zwane