Rhino Horn Trade and Rhino Welfare

The illegal rhino horn trade has driven several rhino species to the brink of extinction and causes immense suffering through brutal poaching, often involving the killing of rhinos in front of their calves.

Key Facts

Rhino horn is primarily demanded as a status symbol and traditional medicine ingredient, mainly in Vietnam and China
Three rhino species are critically endangered; the northern white rhino has only two individuals remaining
South Africa lost over 7,000 rhinos to poaching between 2008 and 2020
Rhino horn is composed of keratin — the same material as human fingernails — with no proven medicinal properties
Dehorning rhinos as a poaching deterrent causes stress but is considered by some conservancies as a welfare trade-off

Welfare Considerations

Poaching methods used on rhinos — high-powered rifles, poisoned darts and even chainsaws to remove horns from living animals — cause extreme suffering. Poached rhinos are sometimes found still alive with faces mutilated. Anti-poaching patrols, which operate in dangerous conditions, have reduced but not eliminated poaching. The welfare of orphaned rhino calves whose mothers have been killed requires intensive long-term care. Dehorning programmes that reduce poaching incentive involve a welfare cost from sedation and procedure stress, requiring careful welfare assessment.

What You Can Do

Support organisations such as Save the Rhino International at www.savetherhino.org
Never purchase or use products claiming to contain rhino horn
Advocate for demand-reduction campaigns targeting consumer countries
Support rhino range country governments and community conservancies financially
Report intelligence on rhino horn trafficking to relevant authorities