WATCH: Zulu king witnesses Hluhluwe-iMfolozi dehorning operation

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini during the second day of his visit to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) witnessed the dehorning of a rhino, a measure that has been implemented to reduce poaching.

The king said dehorning is an important measure meant to protect rhino from syndicates carrying out poaching.

“It is painful that an animal has to live not in the way in which God created it, but because of poaching we have to do this,” said His Majesty after witnessing Wednesday’s dehorning.

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini said he welcomes such anti-poaching efforts implemented by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife working with other stakeholders, ‘so future generations can enjoy such animals’.

He said poaching was not a war faced by rhinos only, but one that also threatens humans because extinction of the animal would adversely impact the ecosystem and subsequently people.

“We are not only protecting animals, we are also protecting ourselves and future generations,” said the king.

Meanwhile, Ezemvelo CEO Sihle Mkhize said dehorning has greatly reduced rhino poaching at the park.

He said other measures such as boots on the ground, camera traps and other technologies are still being carried out in anti-poaching measures.

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