You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be emotionally moved watching a rhino being dehorned.
When I got up close and personal with one of these sedated animals undergoing the process, I felt as if I wanted to reach out and assure it with a comforting hug.
Feeling its almost armour-plated skin reminded me of a tough World War II Sherman tank.
Like the Sherman, the rhino was armed with a formidable horn... but seeing that cut off was akin to watching a Sherman have its powerful 75mm main gun removed... leaving it almost defenceless.
As I watched the dehorning process in the dusty bushveld of the Pilanesberg national park, I was filled with anger, heartache and a desire to stop the process.
Unsurprisingly, tears were shed as the distinct smell of ivory after each dehorning became second nature and literally harder to get out of one's nose.
As horrible as the process is and beyond the proverbial bitter pill to swallow, it simply needs to be done to conserve the rhino population, while also giving the horn to those driven by money.
"We would rather see a healthy, dehorned rhino than a dead one," administering vet Gerhard Scheepers said, admitting that some 160 rhinos had been killed since the first poaching case in the Pilanesberg was reported 14 years ago.
The sight of seeing a dehorning, as much as it disgusts and angers, remains a sad and vital reality to prevent ultimate extinction.
Denne historien er fra August 07, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 07, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Costa to shine in Meydan opener
Racing makes a welcome return to Meydan for their opening meeting of the new season today with a competitive seven-race card, all on dirt, the first of 17 fixtures at the UAE's iconic track.
Race-by-race guide to Sha Tin meeting
Early selections and analysis for tomorrow's 10-race meeting at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.
Fourie back at Fairview, Countess best in the Cape
Richard Fourie is back in action at Fairview today with racing taking place on the Polytrack.
It's the end of golden era
ELEGANT LIVING: BORDEAUX WINERY INVESTMENTS TURN SOUR FOR CHINESE INVESTORS
Master to shine in Victory Moon
FORM: LAIRD'S CHARGE HAS BEEN IN EXCELLENT FORM SINCE MOVING UP FROM THE CAPE
Wheels on the block
Park Village Auctions (PVA) is proud to announce four vehicle auctions featuring South Africa's most loved brands this month.
Empowering creatives
SILENT AUCTION: CHANCE TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF ART STUDENTS
Guess what? India are here
There was a time when an Indian cricket team's arrival in South Africa generated all sorts of interest.
Evidence is back in Bafana squad
Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa returned to the Bafana Bafana squad yesterday, as Hugo Broos picked his 23 players to take on Uganda and South Sudan in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers later this month.
NO WORLD CUP SCARS
MARKRAM: BRINGS OUT EXCITEMENT TO TRY AND GET ONE BACK ON INDIA