No evidence that horn trimming affects white rhinoceros horn use during comfort behaviour and resource access

Abstract Rhino species use their horns in social interactions but also when accessing resources, rubbing and interspecific defence. The current poaching crisis has seen southern white rhinos ( Ceratotherium simum ) increasingly dehorned as a conservation management practise, few studies have evaluated whether the procedure any behavioural effects. This study sought to document describe horn-contingent behaviours during resource access, wallowing freeranging establish dehorning, known horn trimming, impacts on frequency or function. Data were collected through camera trapping field observations at two sites South Africa. results provide no evidence that dehorning disrupts digging mineral consumption suggests is unlikely strong biological impact access. Furthermore, of horn-rubbing did not appear be influenced by levels growth. limited these aspects species’ ecology provides support can employed tool reduce populations rhino.