Eight-Year-Old Rhino Killed And Dehorned By Suspected Poachers In Save Valley

A suspected group of professional poachers has killed and dehorned an eight-year-old rhino, Michele 2095, in Save Valley Conservancy.

The poachers are reported to have used a silenced rifle, with a single .458 bullet casing found at the scene.

The conservancy’s K9 unit first picked up a poacher’s spoor crossing that of a rhino before coming across Michele’s carcass, according to the Save Valley Rhino Poaching Incident Report. The report reads:

“On August 2, 2025, at around 7:30 am, K9 call sign K4 was on a routine morning K9 detection when his dog, Justice, picked up poacher spoor on top of rhino spoor.

“They tracked it to find a fresh rhino carcass identified as an eight-year-old black female rhino called Michele (2095).

The poacher’s professionalism is evident in the single shot used to kill the rhino, which was not heard due to the silenced rifle.”

Rangers tracked the poachers as far as the main road in Mkwasine, but their trail vanished there, suggesting they were picked up by a vehicle. It points to a well-planned operation, likely involving several people and cars.

Save Valley Conservancy has now gathered important details about how the poachers work and the routes they use.

The conservancy has been struggling with repeated poaching attacks, and with no arrests made so far, rumours are swirling that some of the poachers have influential connections.

More: TellZim News

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