Environmental authorities have reported a decline in the number of rhino poached in 2024.
Dr Dion George said there is a downward trend in rhino poached from 499 in 2023 to 420 in 2024. About 320 were killed on state properties and 100 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms.
This is a decrease by 79 year on year.
The hardest hit province continues to be KwaZulu-Natal, with a loss of 232 rhinos; however, this is a decline from 325 that were lost in 2023.
George said this can be attributed to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Dehorning Programme, implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park from April to October 2024.
George said conservation organizations will implement these measures to further anti poaching: Polygraph testing of staff continues at Kruger National Park in line with its Integrity Management Plan. The Skukuza Police Stock Theft & Endangered Species Unit and the Mpumalanga Hawks (Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations) are supporting with investigations as linkages were found between failed polygraph tests and a surge in poaching during 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 Kruger National Park.
Information related to the various rhino poaching crime scenes and modus operandi was shared with the National DFFE Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre, in order to determine linkages between the various incidents across the country and in particular Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KZN.
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 at the Kruger National Park.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is focused on implementing their Rhino Guardianship Strategy, which also played a role in reducing poaching in the province. This Strategy was initiated in August 2024.