In August we stepped in with last minute funding to support Selati Private Game Reserve to dehorn the remainder of their rhinos (following an earlier operation back in January). We donated ZAR60,000, with thanks to our ever willing donors, towards the cost of the helicopter and veterinary drugs. In what was an extensive and well coordinated operation spanning multiple days, using a savanna spotter plane to locate rhinos, then the helicopter, vet & ground team moved in to dart, sedate and de-horn the rhinos. The number of rhino's dehorned and the number of rhino's in the reserve cannot be published for safety purposes.

It is a sad reality that this is what it takes to keep rhinos safe from poachers. No one wants to see a rhino without a horn, and being a part of the phyical operation where you see the magnificent horns being chainsawed off is very upsetting. It is not an operation anyone wants to do, it is done out of necessity, as a last attempt to save rhinos from extinction.