Severely disfigured rhino put down after having horn hacked off by poachers

A severely injured white rhino that had been wandering a national park for days after having its horn hacked off and a bullet lodged in its brain was put down by park rangers on Tuesday, according to South African media outlet News24.

The dreadfully disfigured animal was spotted by visitors to Kruger National Park in Skukuza and led to a near-week long search involving trackers, helicopters and sniffer dogs.

The young rhino suffered extensive damage to both its face and eyes after being savagely mutilated by poachers.

It was found alive by the search team but such was the extent of its injuries that park officials took the decision to put the animal down.

“An assessment was conducted to determine the extent of the injuries and suffering. It was discovered that a bullet had lodged in the rhino’s brain and therefore any chance of survival was slim,” said SANParks Acting Head of Communications Reynold Thakhuli.

“There was simply no chance of surviving for this poor animal and unfortunately it had to be put down,” he added.

A reported 146 rhinos have been killed already this year as demand for their horns continues to attract poachers.

The horns command huge prices in countries such as Vietnam where they are illegally sold and used for their supposed medicinal properties.

This rhino was found alive in Kruger National Park after its horn had been hacked off. HORRIFIC!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FkJ21Whokb

— Taryn Morris (@tarynleemorris) March 1, 2014