Why Removing a Rhino’s Horn Might Just Save it | Planet Earth III Behind The Scenes | BBC Earth

In order to save rhinos from poachers, this incredible team of South African rangers must resort to drastic measures.
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[@XavierAway]

Instead of sawing the rhinos horn off, couldn’t they just saw the poachers hands off?

[@demitimmer4805]

It's a much tougher task! They would've if they could!

[@johnmohblaxta]

The tricky part is you've to catch the poacher first.

[@XavierAway]

@@johnmohblaxta there are people dedicated to doing that, but unfortunately Africa is far too big and open it seems

[@ambiguous6821]

Kinda agree with you, why does the rhino have to sacrifice something when they did nothing? They could've set an example to people who harms other species

[@kimberlypetrossi6607]

I just love that idea! What does a poacher need with their hands, anyway? 😂

[@alllbw]

Insane that we had to get to this, but I understand that it's much more complex than it seems, hopefully this initiative helps. Also these people are incredibly courageous, not only handling the rhinos but also threats from poachers

[@sarahblack4864]

I don’t think it’s complex at all. Same with the ivory trade from elephant tusks. Idiots think these parts have magical powers. They don’t. Species of animals that have survived for thousands of years in the wild on their own should not have to have the good humans take such drastic efforts to try to make them less desirable to poachers.

[@chichichi998]

I fully understand why they would do this. But I also worry (and wonder) how these rhinos defend and protect themselves in the wild, as their horn is their "weapon".

[@jackodonail1980]

An adult rhinoceros has basically no predators. Being a two-ton, highly-aggressive creature does not make one easy prey.

[@Patrick-y4d1z]

Pretty sure the horns are more for intraspecies fighting - i.e, other Rhinos. Not for fighting off against predators. The largest land predators in Africa would be lions, and they really struggle to try and take a rhino down - the horn typically has very little involvement in such instances.

[@davidviner5783]

@@Patrick-y4d1z except intimidation.

[@Shadowstriker2018]

rhinos are beefy as hell they usually just slam themselves into whatever they consider a threat but I guess you could replace the horn with a metal one but that will rust at some point

[@huldu]

It's not meant as "defensive" tool against predators, it's purely for mating purposes like many male aspects in nature.

[@Fledermausmann]

Man, imagine if an alien species came down, and just slaughtered us. Like murdered 6.5 billion people. And then we find out that the reason for it was because they wanted our hair and fingernails which they use to make a magic potion which they say will cure them of their greatest threats... That's kind of what has happened here to the rhinos. Except we actually know that our killing of the rhinos is for naught.

[@suailang8154]

thank you, heroes

[@Animal_Channel]

The question is, how will the rhino defend itself from predators such as lions and hyenas without its main weapon, it’s horn.

[@Auricalios]

it doesn't need to. the horn is mainly for intra species competition, lions and hyenas don't usually go after fully grown adults and rightly so, they're still a hulking mass of tough skin and flesh that can ram into em

[@mokarokas-1727]

@@MrJambiwana - They were, but recently deleted/private'd everything. Possibly demonetized because they only re-uploaded other channels' content.

[@perspektifbiru]

I'm crying so hard just to see this. Wish it's worth for rhino's sacrifices.

[@KINGBADASS100]

I know there doing this for the right reason, but a dehorned Rhino does look so weird. It just feels naked without it.

[@XavierAway]

It probably feels naked without it too, less fight-worthy

[@danmoss7861]

Better be naked than dead

[@carmandirda]

​@@BKT42thankfully a bluff goes a long way

[@DeLion_1612]

@@BKT42 luckily, adult rhinos don’t have any natural predators and only use their horns for sparring, not anything else really

[@Mr_ToR]

Poor rhino. looks kind of melancholic without his horn.

[@generationfallout5189]

I love Rhino, they are the tanks of the environment. So terrible they get targeted for such a pathetic reason. It’s so important to protect them.

[@LaineyBug2020]

Why don't they give them a prosthetic one if it effects their behavior?

[@XavierAway]

They could’ve at least explained HOW it changes their behaviour…

[@mlevesque33]

Maybe because of cost.

[@cherrypie9390]

if it still had something similar to a horn poachers might not realize its not real and still kill it. they cant take that risk

[@olorin4317]

They should make the tracker look like a giant middle finger. That way the rhino doesn’t feel totally dehorned.

[@thirteen7349]

​@@olorin4317😂😂😂😂

[@christyi9282]

What do they do with the horns they saw off?

[@Bergamot88]

They sell it to China

[@sudiptasinha4938]

It's heartbreaking to see the rhinos without horns,but it's the only way to save their lives from the brutal poachers, I presume.

[@thc4825]

So what do they do with the horns?🤔🤔

[@PNO247]

I understand they're selling the horns at a higher price, and it use might be associated variety of interests.

[@mademoiselledusfonctionell1609]

Wonderful people.

[@zitakenny7787]

Dyeing the rhinos horn and elephants tusks pink or another color would protect them from poachers while allowing the defence against predators, but as the ranger stated, he'd rather see a rhino without its horn than a carcass and I agree wholly.

[@thebetterbites]

Its heart wrenching to see something like this😢

[@nuggettscout5715]

plot twist they get to them before the poachers do and still sell the horn while taking your fund raising money

[@darjuandavis8053]

I get it. But it's terrible.

[@johanduplessis1834]

So the poachers will track this Rhino for days only to find it has no horn. then what, they going to say "aaah damn it has no horn!" or are they going to kill it so they don't track a hornless Rhino again?

[@SpringJock]

This is not new. Rhino horns and elephant ivory have been cut off for at least 20 years now. It doesn't help the animals are still killed and the stump of the horn and tusks dug out of the dead bodies. A little stump is still better than nothing. 4:17

[@GrieveIV]

Honestly. Solid preventative measure. And I’m sure whatever they’re charging at is still going to run or die, blunted or not. Also this might make intraspecies conflict less lethal? Idk if that ever was something that happened often. But that could help with numbers

[@raphael0208]

Intraspecific fights are rarely lethal. Their conflicts are only a display of force, and they are done way before anyone gets even hurt. Physically hurt, at least. Those brutes can hurt each other's feelings pretty bad.

[@GrieveIV]

@@raphael0208 ah yea that does make sense

[@isaacbyrd977]

I get it but that horn is also used for protection

[@kattodoggo3868]

It clearly doesn't protect it from humans which are the bigges threat to them

[@georgembenzi8357]

Protection against what

[@timromayale3018]

Good One

[@jnielsen90]

The fact that we have to do this just to protect an animal only says to me we are still losing against the poachers, to the point we are now doing the same thing as they are now

[@glennusher4160]

This is crazy..

[@animalsoundsreal]

Very interesting video🧡💛💚💙💜👍👍👍

[@garfoonga1]

Guys rhino horns arent defensive tools. They're used for foraging and mating

[@joseluispossatimoraes7013]

Parabéns pelo trabalho que vocês fazem para a humanidade pois conservar é manter a vida

[@Eacowind]

I mean if it protects these majestic beasts

[@jessiekalff]

This man is a blessing… 🦏🦏🦏

[@KingsleyIkpa-agodo]

The unfortunate thing here is that one of those guys he thinks are good working with him might be actually in sync with the poachers. It's the world we live in.

[@loneventhorizon]

replace the horn with a metal prosthetic

[@raphael0208]

With machine guns and lasers

[@petergriffin5302]

Like getting a vasectomy boom there goes your confidence 😂

[@__Nikola__]

Should have replaced it with a stainless steel one.

[@imtiazdar7787]

*Find another ways, leave the nature in it's shape*

[@bharathgauribidanur7262]

What are you guys doing with the cut horns? Making profits!

[@DavidGivinsnhe]

What they do with the Horn?

[@Yahayabaraueducation]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@alexanderzinnurov9495]

What really needs to happen is this: we need to spread the word about the threats that rhinos, elephants, wild cats, bears, gorillas, parrots, helmeted hornbills, sea turtles, sharks, and other endangered species face, and why people shouldn't want wild animals as accessories and as pets. The fact that poaching exists is proof that laws alone are not enough to protect anyone and anything; it's just as important for us humans to care enough about each other to protect each other, and enough about our fellow species to protect them and their habitats. Parents, in particular, should learn about such things and relay them to their children. Furthermore, we need to be more careful about what we buy. We need to familiarize ourselves with details such as (a) how consumer products are made, (b) where they're made, (c) why they're made there, (d) what natural resources are used, (e) what amounts of natural resources are used, and (f) how the people who make the things are treated.

[@Anna.Lippert]

While fully understanding the objective, concern remains as to the rhino's ability to defend itself ― the prominence of its horns also acting, as is often the case in nature, as a deterrent.

[@keenanrobinson7239]

Not a problem. Rhino horns are more meant for mating purposes (and backing competition off) rather than self defense.

[@vaishnavi_not_some_devi]

Can't the gps be shaped and functioned like a horn?

[@Nefertiti0403]

Are you serious 😮 oohhh emmm geee

[@qtJosie]

3D print them new horns

[@derryjones1029]

Sometimes in life u have 2 b cruel to b kind

[@stevo3938]

Unaffected by the procedure… Really. Did the rhino tell you that?

[@anandtripathi4068]

Why don't they attach an iron horn as tracker, rhino will not feel different and poachers don't attack for an iron horn! ...

[@nathancomixproductions466]

Do the horns ever grow back?

[@wildlifeisthewealthofnatur5457]

But wouldn't that make them vulnerable to pride of lions?

[@ScenicFilm8k]

Earth's animals gradually disappear 😰😰😰😰😰

[@Sbenbobb9]

At least the poachers cut off the horn and use it to make money. These people just cut it off. Teach the poachers how to remove the horn and keep the Rhino alive? I feel like there is a better way, I just don't know it.

[@patriciawolf9623]

😊❤❤❤❤

[@JumlendraBhaiPradhanMemeMantri]

Remember folks, king matters not his crown.

[@VTCTR3Y]

Powerful quote.

[@alishademmery3581]

Restores my faith in humanity people who cares about animals lives

[@katiaid7550]

😭

[@OutrageousPenalty]

This is the equivalent of saying: - don't walk with so much money on your pockets you might get robbed and killed, Give this to us, we are from the government 🤡

[@NimsChannel]

Rhino circumcision.

[@nimnum1265]

it’s still wrong

[@MsMytube75]

Sad human destroy all animals and nature and human itself😮😢

[@chaeoconnor5565]

This is sad humans are very cruel now can’t defend themselves

[@wellness4health]

How about replacing the real horn with an artificial one, maybe stainless steel, or silicon. Something so it still has the ability to fend off other predators.

[@garfoonga1]

Their hide is over three inches thick, their body is more dense than an elephant. They knock over trees just by using them as scratching posts. The horns arent a defensive tool, theyre for mating.

Schutz gegen Geld aus. Gruss, Jürgen 🤠

[@lewcehjitl3282]

So sad 😢

[@GBIMC214]

How is the rhino able to protect itself. Without a horn he might get killed by a lion or something. So you still will have a dead carcass. Who takes the horn once they take it off? Like let the animal be an animal and stop messing with its nature. The problem is poachers so get rid of them instead.

[@ccocoi9583]

C’est malheureux d’en venir aux instruments faces aux armes qui déciment 😢 C’est pour leur bien évidemment. Très triste d’en arriver à ce constat, si cela sauve l’espèce c’est un bon point, à savoir bien évidemment que les thérapies soit disants bonnes, vis à vis de cette corne sont fausses et que les braconniers, eux, peuvent aller se faire soigner.

[@Khalil.8611]

Not a good solution, instead enforcing heavy penalties will considerably discourage poachers and those involved in this business.

[@daisyw4348]

There already are heavy penalties

[@AphroditeMilo]

Admirable people exists even if it is a tiny tiny minority ❤❤

[@muffintop420]

The hard part is that the horns grow back so you have to keep cutting them off. I wonder if there would be a way to keep them from growing? Then attach a prosthetic horn on that was colored to make it obvious it wasn't real horn. Then the rhino could still defend itself.

[@dalelicious5429]

You can see they put a plate over the horn to keep it from growing. I like your idea about the colored horn though, maybe even coloring the real horn so that it seems fake

[@RealGeorgeyWashington]

Or they could allow Rhino farming again which caused a huge increase in the rhino population and the farmers protected the rhinos with deadly force.

[@vaishnavi_not_some_devi]

0:36 i also want to find something that feels that right to do in my life🥺

[@tarakb7606]

Unfortunately it leaves the Rhinos unable to defend themselves.

[@GordonPavilion]

Their enemies are those on two legs with rifles. Lesser of the two evils.

[@tarakb7606]

@@GordonPavilion True, unfortunately.

[@jaymichael119]

Aren’t you also removing the rhinos defense mechanism ?

[@emdhruv]

Why you guys do that? without permission of rhino itself. Shame! Please leave them alone and FYI they don't even want our support believe me.😡

[@STURM323]

Here a new year resolution for you: report about the Sumatran rhino as much as you have for their African relatives for the next ten years. You'll probably just be reporting on it's extinction, but maybe you can make a difference. It is at least as intersting as other rhinos.

[@therealaveragesmitty]

All I see is poachers harvesting

[@dhayanandpalani649]

Feeling sad about the kind of damage we humans cause 😔

[@aandykf]

The Chinese people believing in their "traditional medicine" cause this kind of damage.

[@jbtownsend9535]

I would point to the top of wrongs, in the chain of wrongs involved with illegal hunting, at the unfounded and absurd belief that rhino horns have medicinal healing power. This myth gives incentive to poaching.

[@mlevesque33]

I think it's also used for ornemental stuff.

[@SitnaltaErif]

It has about as much healing powers as eating your own finger nails. Maybe the world should band together and donate our cut toenails to the ignorant people making a buck off these poor rhinos.

[@seaweedeater3104]

Bless the dear 🦏 and the people who protect them

[@probhatZoo]

This is not right

[@theorgandonor0]

I hate how the only solution we have in stopping poachers from hurting rhinos is by doing the same thing they do to them (technically). Really shows how cruel the human race (specifically poachers and the people who buy from them) is.

[@daisyw4348]

Well sortable, cause poachers just kill the Rhino for their horns

[@hansakkerman2611]

​@@daisyw4348which is made of keratin, the same stuff hair and nails are made of. A bag of toenail clippings will have the same medicinal properties as rhino horn.

[@Jaevwyn]

This isnt a solution, poachers kill Rhinos without horns so they dont waste time tracking them a second time.

[@huldu]

Given time the rhinos will not have any horns at all. Didn't something similar happen to elephants? The favorable traits involve not having tusks or horns at all. Which is pretty funny considering the immense impact we humans have on everything around us.

[@pulvenberg1709]

Wanted to mention this too. Would probably be a good development. But it takes forever.

[@karinhuntley9408]

Not funny!

[@Adam_Antium115]

They actually have a special dye that they can inject the horn with to ruin the resale value withput hirting the animal.

[@FlamespeedyAMV]

For anyone who doesnt get it yet, they create the poacher solution in order to then legally remove the horn (sell it anyway) just now they aint killing it

[@abineliaskurian6981]

They need horn for a lot of things ,instead to caching the poachers u are doing a wrong thing

[@MrChangCJ]

i wonder if the rhinos realise that their horn is gone. do they lose their sense of pride and identity? do they lose mates to males with intact horns? do they get depressed? if they could speak and reason, would they agree to this?

[@DarrenTan-o4u]

South Africa 🇿🇦

[@wendyjack4532]

This seems like such a drastic way to attempt to save rhinos. Taking away their horn is taking away their identity. The rhinos were born with their horns for a reason. Their horns play a crucial role in their survival. How sad that the rangers have to resort to this in order for the rhinos to survive.

[@نجلاءالمنتصر-ج8م]

Rhino needs their horns to defend them selves . Its sad to have to take it away just to stop human greed

[@BasitKhan-jr5rx]

By dehorning- they cant defend themselves 💔 *so gets killed by other predators easily*

[@violetgovias681]

Their horn is for self defense why take it off? You are muting them to death… ridiculous!!

[@regislima5305]

Em vez de serrar os chifres dos rhinos serram as mãos dos cacadores furtivos , of the Brszil .

[@Mbuso808]

They say that the dehorning does not affect the rhino. sad😢 because they dont know what they r doing to the rhinos confidence.

[@snowman01]

can't they screw in a stainless steel horn as a replacement?

[@theclowninghasbegun3442]

Go after the buyers who are mostly from Asia.

[@leepek3575]

Yeah and then horns are sold on black market :D

[@CatsCutelover]

can update on nagin n fatu... did they success?

[@ashishsingh-np3df]

If the government is not trading those horns

[@alishademmery3581]

Leave the rhinoceros alone leave their horns alone how are you any different to the poachers stealing their horns

[@lasselippert3892]

Are you serious? The poachers kill the rhinos, *then* take their horns.

[@lifeguardryantv5846]

No F that don’t do that to the animal

[@maxvanhoutum]

Why no prosthetic horn?