Rhinos dehorned in broad daylight

The three rhino were dehorned at Tala Game Reserve in KZN. Of the three rhino, the two older were killed and the youngest suffered severe injuries and lost her horn. The young rhino has been sent for rehabilitation. 

The reserve’s general manager, Derek Grose, said management and staff were still in shock. It was the first time rhinos had been poached at the reserve. “It is shocking”, he said, “I just cannot describe the devastation. The little one (who was unnamed) was still alive, but her horn was also taken.”

Grose said he was doing regular his rounds on Saturday when he saw the rhinos lying on the ground. When he arrived at the scene, Fiona, who was about 30 years old and her eldest female offspring, Mary - about 20 years old - were already dead.

Investigations have been launched and The Hawks are on the case of the poachers in an attempt to discover who killed the animals.

The two rhino will be buried on Monday, as Grose has stated that workers were extremely upset and that the staff want to give the animals ‘the respect and dignity they deserve’.