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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Management |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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Recently South Africa's Mpumalanga Parks Board began implanting tiny microchips into the horns and under the skins of rhinos in its reserves. Information on each rhino, including the chip number and genetic particulars, will be entered onto a national computerized database, enabling wildlife law-enforcement officers to identify immediately the origin of rhino horn when they are investigating smuggling cases. The required data is read by simply swiping a sophisticated sensor along the length of the horn. The rhino are darted from helicopters and a highly qualified ground team, led by vet Kobus Raath. Each horn is drilled and a microchip inserted and sealed with silicone. In time, as the horn grows, the insertion mark will be very difficult to detect with the naked eye. The entire operation including the drawing of blood samples and marking each ear takes less than 15 minutes.
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Microchips used to protect rhinos
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