Rhino poaching declines in South Africa

Rhino poaching in South Africa declined in early 2024, notably dropping after a dehorning initiative started in April.

The government announced this decline on Thursday, marking a positive trend.

From January to June, 229 rhinos were killed, two fewer than during the same months in 2023.

A significant reduction occurred in May and June, with 21 and 22 losses compared to 42 and 34 last year.

Environment Minister Dion George credited the decrease to dehorning efforts in KwaZulu-Natal’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where over 1,000 rhinos have been dehorned since April, mitigating poaching incentives.

Home to most of the world’s rhinos, South Africa is a poaching hotspot due to Asian demand for horns used in traditional medicine.

In 2023, it had 16,056 rhinos, including 2,065 black rhinos, which are critically endangered.

Kruger National Park lost 45 rhinos in early 2024, up from 42 last year.

Over 60 suspects were arrested in connection with poaching, with new security measures, including lie detector tests for park employees.

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