Dehorning of white rhinos as a poaching deterrent raises welfare questions about recurring painful procedures versus the benefit of preventing poaching.
Dehorning requires anaesthesia carrying cardiovascular risks, surgical removal that exposes sensitive horn matrix, and recovery from both the procedure and drug reversal. Repeated dehorning every 2-3 years means individual rhinos undergo multiple procedures across their lives. The welfare costs are offset only if dehorning actually prevents poaching mortality — evidence is contested. Some researchers argue that dehorning reduces social status and may affect competitive ability in natural breeding.