Dehorning of wild rhinos as an anti-poaching strategy involves significant welfare tradeoffs that require careful evaluation.
Rhino dehorning causes acute welfare harm through the immobilization process — drug administration, the stress of capture, and recovery from anesthesia all cause significant distress. Repeated dehorning every two years means this harm is repeated throughout the animal's life. The welfare costs must be weighed against the poaching prevention benefit in the specific context of each reserve. Where anti-poaching security is effective, dehorning may not be necessary.