By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dion George welcomed the “encouraging downward trend” in poaching, particularly in KZN, where poaching deaths dropped from 325 rhinos in 2023 to 232 last year.
George released the 2024 rhino poaching statistics on Thursday, noting the “encouraging continuing downward trend”.
“From January to December 2024, 420 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 320 being killed on state properties and 100 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms. This was a decrease (of 79) in comparison to 499 rhinos poached in 2023.
“The hardest hit province continues to be KwaZulu-Natal that lost 232 rhinos; however, this is a notable decline from the 325 that were lost in 2023. The significant reduction can largely be attributed to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Dehorning Programme, that was implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park from April to October 2024.
“The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) funded programme had an immediate impact, with monthly poaching numbers dropping from 35 in April to fewer than 10 per month between May and September 2024.
“In October, however, poaching syndicates adapted their tactics and began targeting dehorned rhinos, leading to a sudden spike in poaching incidents in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and in that month alone, the province lost 27 rhinos. Fortunately, the provincial anti-rhino poaching team responded swiftly, intercepting the new syndicate and preventing further losses. The considerable efforts resulted in the province ultimately achieving a 67% decline in rhino poaching over the eight months,” George’s statement said.
The Kruger National Park reported 88 poached rhinos in 2024, compared with the 78 during the same period in 2023.
“Until the end of November 2024, rhino losses reported in the Kruger stood at 67, but a significant escalation in rhino poaching activities was experienced during December 2024, which continued into January 2025,” said the minister.
In December, 21 rhinos were killed during December 2024 and 17 in January this year.
The Skukuza SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and the Mpumalanga Hawks are supporting investigations because of linkages between polygraph tests and poaching in December 2024.
“To date, investigations that have flowed from these polygraph results and subsequent investigations into the individuals have resulted in disciplinary action against two employees in ranger services at the Kruger.”
The minister said information has been shared with the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre to determine links between incidents of poaching, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
“Co-operation with various stakeholders was strengthened to assist in alerting customs and law enforcement officials in transit and destination countries to be on the lookout for illegally traded horns over the December/January period when there was an increase in poaching in the Kruger National Park.”
He said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is focused on implementing its rhino guardianship strategy initiated in August last year, which has helped reduce poaching in the province. The polygraphing of 55 Ezemvelo rhino reserve managers and 58 field staff was completed.
The country continues to “see some very good convictions” with lengthy imprisonment terms in cases related to rhino poaching.
But the lengthy time that it takes to finalise many of these cases was concerning, the minister said.
“Unfortunately, where the suspects are released on bail, the data tells us that a large number of them continue to commit crimes. Accordingly, expediting these cases through our courts as well as vigorously opposing bail will no doubt result in safeguarding more rhinos.”
Chief executive of Save the Rhino chief executive Jo Shaw said the decline was a result of the “tireless efforts of conservationists and law enforcement agencies”.
“It shows that the long-term targeted investments into activities such as dehorning operations, ranger support and crime investigations are having tangible impacts,” she said.