In 2024, 420 rhinos were lost to poaching, with an average of 35 killed each month.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has revealed that 65 of the rhinos were poached from reserves managed by SA National Parks (SANParks). KwaZulu-Natal province saw the highest number of poaching incidents, with 16 rhinos killed, followed by Limpopo (10), the Free State (5), North West (4), and Mpumalanga (3).

The first quarter of the year also saw 15 reported incidents linked to rhino poaching, further highlighting the ongoing crisis.

Conservationists continue to call for increased vigilance and more robust anti-poaching efforts, as the pressure mounts on the country’s protected areas and wildlife management strategies.

--ChannelAfrica--