rhino poaching KwaZulu-Natal
Almost 500 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa last year, despite government efforts to tackle the illicit trade in horns. Image by Pexels

Home » KwaZulu-Natal is the biggest target for rhino poachers in SA

KwaZulu-Natal is the biggest target for rhino poachers in SA

In 2023, 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal is the hardest hit, specifically the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

By Aphiwe Ngwenya
28-02-24 10:27
in Animals
rhino poaching KwaZulu-Natal
Almost 500 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa last year, despite government efforts to tackle the illicit trade in horns. Image by Pexels

KwaZulu-Natal bares the brunt of rhino poaching in the country. This is according to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy.

In 2023, 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal is the hardest hit, specifically the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which lost 307 rhinos to criminal activity.

Meanwhile 93 rhinos were poached on privately owned parks, farms or reserves.

RHINO POACHING AT KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

500 Rhinos killed illegally in SA last year video
Rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province have been heavily targeted in recent years. Image: Pixabay

However, the biggest win for rhino poaching prevention efforts is at the Kruger National Park.

In 2023, 73 rhino’s were poached, down from 98 in 2022.

Creecy attributes the drop in numbers to community members hired to patrol the park fence.

“As part of the government’s poverty relief program there are a number of fence monitors employed from neighboring communities that patrol the western boundary fence of the KNP and report fence breakages, illegal tracks and people entering the KNP as well as animals escaping from the KNP” says Creecy.

Some oof the measured implemented at Kruger National Park include:

  • Strong collaboration between external stakeholders permanently based in KNP
  • An extensive and ongoing dehorning programmer. It focuses on the dehorning of all rhino in core areas.
  • The continued implementation of the KNP Ranger Services Integrity Management Plan. This holistic approach assesses the drivers and dynamics of corruption.
  • Improved access control through the installation of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and gate cameras.
  • Radar detection systems that remotely track any illegal entry by poachers on foot into the KNP.

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Tags: featured HNelnny Important rhino conservation rhino poachers