Dr Fowlds, Why is it called "dehorning"? The word 'dehorning' has a negative connotation.
What rhino custodians are doing to keep rhinos safe for future generations should be viewed in a positive way. Better a live rhino with a short horn than a dead rhino with a long horn.
I would like to propose an industry wide switch to the word (trimming).
Rhino horn is after all made of keratin and similar to fingernails it keeps growing and is trimmed every 2 years. The horn is not removed totally and is only trimmed down to a shorter length.
We don't denail our fingers and our toes once a month do we?
Trimming rhino horn to reduce the number of poaching incidents might be a tough decision but it is the right decision and should be viewed in a more positive light. Maybe if the industry uses appropriate words to describe what is being done, we can change the negative narrative around this necessary process?
What do you think?
Dehorning or Trimming?