STS Team in Mozambique dehorn a White Rhino Bull
White Rhinos are grazing animals found in long and short grass savanna areas and in grasslands. White Rhino are vulnerable to poaching for their horns. This is a major cause of individual death, with an average of 3 Rhinos poached daily in South Africa alone. Their horns have high value on traditional asian medicine markets, despite being made up of keratin, the same material as our finger nails.
Poaching levels increased dramatically from 2007 to 2014, leading to population declines and increasing the costs and risks associated with protection.
Our veterinary team in Mozambique is supporting the Mozambican government implementing a regional initiative to dehorn all Rhinoceros in areas at high risk of poaching.
Following reports of one White Rhino Bull roaming along the South African – Mozambique border our team deployed to the area, in collaboration with the Karingani fixed wing, helicopter and ground team.
After a short search from the air, the White Rhino bull was found, darted, effectively dehorned and awoken without incident.
Dehorning is a last resource tool to protect Rhinos in high risk areas and evidence suggests that there are no significant impacts on the Rhinos survival and breeding rates.
Why are Rhinos so important?
Rhinos play an important part of our ecosystems and without them these environments would not be the same. Rhinos are keystone species meaning they greatly influence their habitats. One way in which Rhinos do this is by wallowing in muddy puddles. This allows watering holes to stay open, allowing not only Rhinos but all species access to water.
How can I support Saving The Survivors work?
Please donate if you can to ensure that we are always there to answer that call to protect remaining Rhinos. You can support our work by becoming a monthly or one off donor. Please help us to do more great work like this, and save the Rhino from extinction. Donate here.
You can also support us by following us on social media. Share our stories to give these vulnerable animals a voice. With your help we can raise awareness of issues and create a more positive future for wildlife. Check out our other supporters views on facebook. Check out our instagram here.
Thank you from all of team Saving The Survivors for your support!
MORE BUSH JOURNAL
World Elephant Day 2026
Protecting Africa’s Gentle Giants Today, on World Elephant Day, Saving the Survivors celebrates one of the most extraordinary and iconic animals to walk our planet — the elephant. Elephants have always held a very special place in the work of Saving the Survivors. Over the years, our veterinary teams have worked with countless elephants across … Continued
Technology Helping Pangolins Thrive in the Wild
Every successful wildlife release marks the beginning of a new chapter, but ensuring an animal continues to thrive in the wild requires ongoing monitoring. For species as vulnerable as the pangolin, every check-up provides invaluable insight into the success of their rehabilitation and release. Recently, the Saving The Survivors team returned to the field to … Continued
Strengthening the Future of White Rhinos Through Genetic Conservation
Saving the Survivors, in partnership with the Veterinary Conservation Coalition (VCC), has successfully completed the translocation of several White rhino cows to a South African reserve where no new genetics had been introduced for more than 20 years. Although moving rhinos is a complex and carefully planned operation, this project was about much more than … Continued
Innocent Victim:
White Rhino Saved After Devastating Snare Injury Every snare tells a tragic story. Not because it catches the animal it was intended for, but because it so often catches those it was never meant to. This adult White rhinoceros cow became one of those innocent victims. When our veterinary team located her, she was suffering … Continued
Nature's Medicine at Work
A Remarkable Rhino Recovery A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a Southern White Rhino mother suffering from a significant wound to her hindquarters, most likely caused by the horn of an overenthusiastic bull. At the time, the injury was extensive and vulnerable to infection. In the harsh conditions of the African bush, … Continued
Big Ben's Battle Scars:
An Unusual Treatment for an Extraordinary Patient Life for a dominant bull rhino is rarely peaceful. For Big Ben, one of the area’s largest and most powerful white rhinos, a recent territorial dispute left him with a significant facial wound. Like many mature bulls, Big Ben regularly encounters rivals competing for territory, breeding rights, and … Continued
A Rhino, An Elephant and a Race Against Time
At Saving the Survivors, no two wildlife interventions are ever the same. Recently, our veterinary team was called to assist a White Rhino cow suffering from a severely damaged horn. While injuries to horns can appear straightforward at first glance, they often require careful assessment and treatment to prevent complications and ensure the animal’s long-term … Continued
Monitoring One of Africa’s Most Vulnerable Predators
Saving the Survivors recently carried out an important conservation intervention involving an adult male cheetah living on a protected property where a coalition of males was successfully introduced by Saving the Survivors and the Veterinary Conservation Coalition in 2025. As part of our ongoing monitoring and conservation work, the cheetah was carefully immobilised by our … Continued
Hope Continues Her Frontline Mission Protecting Wildlife
At Saving the Survivors, every success story is built on the support of people who believe wildlife is worth protecting. Hope, one of our anti-poaching K9s, is a perfect example of what that support can achieve. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Hope was purchased, trained, and deployed to help protect wildlife on the … Continued
A Mother’s Strength in the African Bush
Out in the African bush, survival is never easy. Every day brings new challenges, and even the strongest animals can suffer painful injuries in the wild. Recently, the veterinary team from Saving the Survivors responded to help a Southern White Rhino cow found with a significant wound to her back leg, most likely caused by … Continued
Eight Years On:
A Story of Strength, Survival, and Hope Eight years ago, a magnificent adult bull elephant suffered a fracture to his left front limb — an injury that could easily have marked the end of his journey. But this elephant endured. Recently, our Founder and Head Veterinarian, Dr Johan Marais, returned with the Saving the Survivors … Continued
Hope on the Frontline:
A Protector Made Possible by You Deep in the bushveld, where the threat of poaching is ever-present, a highly trained protector moves silently alongside the rangers. Focused, disciplined, and relentless in her pursuit — this is Hope. Many of you will remember that Hope, our anti-poaching K9, was made possible entirely through your generosity. From … Continued
