PRETORIA — South Africa has recorded a downward trend in rhino poaching over the past two months, marking a significant decrease in incidents, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, announced Thursday.
According to South African Government News Agency, “A significant drop was noted during May and June this year with national losses reported at 21 and 22 respectively. May and June of 2023 were recorded at 42 and 34.” This reduction is believed to be the result of the dehorning of rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal, specifically in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where over 1,000 rhinos have been dehorned since April 2024.
During the first six months of 2024, 229 rhinos were poached in South Africa, compared to 231 in the same period in 2023. Of these, 191 were killed on state properties and 38 on privately owned parks, reserves, or farms. The Kruger National Park (KNP) lost 45 rhinos from January to June 2024, slightly up from 42 in the same period in 2023. The KNP continues to implement its Rhino Conservation Plan, which includes guarding and protecting rhinos in core areas, using appropriate technologies, dehorning, and innovative biological management.
The KNP Integrity Management Plan addresses staff integrity and includes field ranger selection and training, polygraph testing, wellness programs, financial literacy training, and skills development. At the end of 2023, South Africa reported having 16,056 rhinos, comprising 2,065 black rhinos and 13,991 white rhinos, an increase from the 2,056 black and 12,968 white rhinos estimated at the end of 2021. Despite poaching, South Africa had 1,032 more rhinos in 2023 than in 2021, with poaching rates of 2.9% and 3.2% in 2022 and 2023 respectively, both below the 3.5% threshold beyond which rhino numbers would decline.
Implementation of the Year 1 targets of the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) is underway, with cooperation between government and the private sector promoted. The NISCWT is overseen by the NATJOINTS Priority Committee on Wildlife Trafficking. During the reporting period, over 60 suspects were arrested and 20 heavy-caliber firearms recovered in relation to rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. Successful joint operations and investigations involved SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Environmental Management Inspectors from national and provincial conservation agencies, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations, and private security teams.