A Day to Never Forget – Rhino Conservation in Action

Rosa and Dana, two Dutch students, are currently doing their internship at Limpopo-Lipadi. During their time here, they’ve been lucky to be part of many memorable moments, but one day stood out: the recent dehorning of white rhinos in the reserve.

In Botswana, the dehorning of rhinos is not only a practical step to prevent poaching, it’s also a requirement set by the government for rhinos living in private reserves. It might seem drastic at first, but the procedure is done with the animals’ welfare in mind. Rhinos are often targeted for their horns, and removing the horn helps reduce the risk of them becoming victims of poaching. Read the story of Dana and Rosa here:

“We had the rare opportunity to join Limpopo-Lipadi’s team on this mission. What we witnessed will stay with us for a long time. Standing just meters away from these powerful animals was incredible. But this wasn’t just a close encounter—it was also a valuable insight into conservation work on the ground.

We watched as Erik Verreynne, the experienced veterinarian, lead his team through the procedure. The dehorning is done under sedation, is not painful, and is carried out with care and precision. It’s one part of a broader approach to protect these animals.

Each rhino is also fitted with a microchip and monitored using SmartParks tracking technology. Their safety is further supported by Limpopo-Lipadi’s Anti-Poaching Unit and the Botswana Defence Force, who monitor the rhinos around the clock.

That day offered more than just a look behind the scenes. It showed us what conservation really means in practice. It’s not only about love for wildlife, but also about planning, technology, and working together to keep these key species safe. Being part of this effort was a real privilege and gave us a better understanding of what it takes to protect these beautiful animals.”

If you would like to support our conservation efforts, have a look on our website: https://limpopo-lipadi.org/donate/. For discreet information on share sales, contact generalmanager@limpopo-lipadi.org. To book a safari, request our rates via reservations@limpopo-lipadi.org or via WhatsApp: (+267) 76770191.