Toyota South Africa Motors Helps Save the Rhinos

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), in collaboration with the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, recently executed a large-scale dehorning initiative at Pilanesberg National Park.

To safeguard the rhino population, anti-poaching units must be both visible and mobile. In recent years, TSAM has donated vehicles, covered all service costs, and partnered with Monitor dealers to refurbish additional vehicles.

“Toyota's global environmental policy is robust, and we are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust. Protecting our heritage and safeguarding these majestic animals is integral to our mission. We are committed to playing our role in ensuring the survival of this endangered species for future generations,”

says John Thomson, Vice President of Future Toyota.

Black and white rhinos face extinction due to rampant poaching for their horns. These horns are often exploited as a symbol of wealth, either as ornate dagger handles, decorative displays on mantelpieces or for medicinal reasons.

Some of the myths that poachers use to justify poaching:

• Claims that rhino horns have mystical powers when consumed as a powder, purportedly acting as an aphrodisiac. In reality, rhino horns are composed primarily of keratin protein, the same substance found in human fingernails, and have no proven medicinal or aphrodisiacal properties.
• Claims that rhino horns have cancer-curing properties are medically false and lack scientific evidence.

In 2016, Northwest Parks initiated a dehorning program for all rhinos. The procedure itself doesn’t harm the animal in any form and the horn regrows. For now, this process has proven effective in deterring poachers.

“The rhino horn is not connected to the animal’s skeletal structure but grows from a growth plate above the bone. Dehorning, while essential, is an expensive procedure, TSAM managed to cover 70% of the costs of the recent dehorning process in the Pilansberg. This support, along with donor funding and the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, contributes to wildlife veterinarians and assistants, helicopters and pilots for darting, medication for sedation and stabilisation, ground teams, vehicles as well as volunteers. This collective commitment to protecting these magnificent animals and conserving wildlife makes these efforts possible,”

says Thomson.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to our business partners: Altron Group and Netstar, for their generous donation of radios and the refurbishment of repeater networks for the anti-poaching units. Additionally, Vodacom’s funding for SIM card data has enabled effective monitoring within the park,”

adds Thomson.

“As humans, we've established wildlife conservation areas and relocated free-roaming animals into these parks. It is our duty to ensure their safety, genetic diversity, and overall wellbeing, while also maintaining these areas effectively. Unfortunately, we are falling short in meeting these responsibilities for the animals in our care,”

concludes Thomson.

To ensure the continued good health of a dehorned rhino, its horn should be trimmed every 18 months to two years.