South Africa releases Q1 2025 rhino poaching report!

South Africa's Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has released the official rhino poaching statistics for the first quarter of 2025. Between 01 January and 31 March 2025, a total of 103 rhinos were poached across the country - an average of 34.33 rhinos per month. This number is consistent with the previous 12-month average of 35 rhinos per month (or 420 annually), highlighting the continued threat to South Africa's rhino population.

Dr. George emphasized the urgent need for increased anti-poaching efforts:

“The South African government remains unwavering in its fight against wildlife crime. We are enhancing ranger patrols, expanding the use of surveillance technologies, and working with both national and international law enforcement agencies. This includes the deployment of advanced tools like drones and thermal radars. Furthermore, we are collaborating with communities near protected areas to support sustainable livelihoods and reduce the drivers behind poaching.”

Rhino poaching statistics by province – Q1 2025:

• Kruger National Park (SANParks): 65 rhinos
• KwaZulu-Natal: 16 rhinos
• Limpopo: 10 rhinos
• Free State: 5 rhinos
• North West: 4 rhinos
• Mpumalanga: 3 rhinos
• Eastern Cape: 0 rhinos
• Northern Cape: 0 rhinos
• Western Cape: 0 rhinos
• Gauteng: 0 rhinos

Significant progress has been made in addressing rhino-related crime in South Africa. Between January and March 2025, 15 suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching activities. Additionally, five cases were finalized in court, demonstrating the government's ongoing commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and strengthening prosecution outcomes.

South Africa: Rhino poaching Numbers decline in 2024!

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has released the rhino poaching statistics for 2024. According to the data, a total of 420 rhinos were poached across South Africa from January to December 2024. Of these, 320 were killed on state-owned properties, while 100 were poached on privately owned parks, reserves, or farms. This marks a significant decrease compared to the 499 rhinos lost to poaching in 2023.
KwaZulu-Natal remained the hardest-hit province, with 232 rhinos poached in 2024. However, this is a notable decline from the 325 rhinos killed in the region the previous year. A major factor behind this reduction was the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Dehorning Programme, which was implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park between April and October 2024. Funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the initiative had an immediate impact, with poaching numbers dropping from 35 in April to fewer than 10 per month between May and September.

Kruger National Park reported a total of 88 rhinos poached in 2024, an increase of 10 compared to the 78 recorded in 2023. Up until the end of November 2024, rhino losses in Kruger National Park stood at 67, but a sharp escalation in poaching activity occurred in December. That month alone, 21 rhinos were killed, and the trend continued into January 2025, with another 17 rhinos reported poached.
In KwaZulu-Natal, poaching syndicates adapted their tactics in October and began targeting dehorned rhinos, leading to a sudden surge in incidents. That month alone, the province lost 27 rhinos. Fortunately, swift action by the provincial anti-poaching team led to the interception of the new syndicate, preventing further losses. Thanks to these concerted efforts, KwaZulu-Natal ultimately recorded a 67% decline in rhino poaching over the eight-month period.

Namibia: New rhino poaching figures!

According to the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), Namibia has lost 19 black rhinos and nine white rhinos to poaching the first three month of 2024. Out of these 28 rhinos, 19 were poached in the Etosha National Park, of which 10 were found during a campaign in March 2024 to dehorn rhinos to reduce the risk of them becoming poaching targets. Five rhinos were killed on private farms in Namibia, three rhinos were poached in rhino custodianship farms, and one in the Kunene region. 

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

South Africa has released rhino poaching statistics for 2023!

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has released the rhino poaching statistics for 2023. A total of 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa, 406 were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms. This was an increase of 51 rhinos in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022. Out of the 499 rhinos, 307 were illegally killed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal. Kruger National Park (KNP) recorded a 37% decrease from 2022 with a total of 78 poached in 2023. No rhinos were poached in any other of South Africa's National Parks.

In relation to rhino prosecutions in South Africa in 2023, verdicts were handed down in 36 cases of which 35 resulted in guilty verdicts and one in a not guilty verdict. The cases resulted in the conviction of 45 accused rhino poachers/rhino horn traffickers with a conviction rate of 97%.

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Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) number 10111!

Botswana has released rhino poaching figures!

Botswana has lost 138 rhinoceros to poachers since 2018, compared to only two poached from 2012 to 2017. This is according to Cabinet Minister Mabuse Pule, who answered a parliamentary question on behalf of Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism Philda Kereng on 19 February 2023. In addition to the 138 rhinoceroses that had been poached since 2018, 76 died of natural causes in the last five years. Mr Pule further announced that 33 rhino were killed by poachers in 2021, while Botswana lost only six rhinos to poaching in 2022.

nb. According to a Briefing Document for Delegates to CITES SC74 (Lyon, March 2022), titled "The Rise of Rhinoceros Poaching in Botswana", by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Botswana lost six rhinos to poaching from 2006 to 2017. 11 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2018, 30 in 2019 and 62 in 2020. This is according to government figures. 

2018: 11 rhinos killed by poachers in Botswana
2019: 30
2020: 62
2021: 33
2022: 6
Total: 142

South Africa has released rhino poaching statistics for 2022! [update]

update (08 February 2023): The 124 rhinos that were killed in National Parks managed by SANPArks were all poached in Kruger National Park (124 in 2022 versus 209 in 2021 – a 40% reduction). Not a single rhino was poached in any of South Africa's other National Parks. Of the 244 rhinos killed in KwaZulu-Natal, 228 carcasses were found on the provincial state park Hluhluwe iMfolozi and 16 were lost on privately owned Game Reserves.

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has released the rhino poaching numbers for 2022. According to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, a total of 448 rhino were killed in South Africa in 2022 compared to 451 rhino poached in 2021. Out of the 448 rhino, 124 rhino were poached at the South African National Parks (SANParks). The province of KwaZulu-Natal lost 244 rhino to poaching last year compared to 102 in 2021.

A total of 132 arrests were effected during 2022 for rhino poaching: 23 in the Skukuza area in Mpumalanga, 49 in KwaZulu-Natal and the balance in Limpopo.
The  recent focus on money laundering and international co-operation with other law enforcement authorities saw the arrest of 26 rhino horn traffickers and 13 people for money laundering and bribing of rangers.

South Africa is home to the world's largest population of near-threatened white rhinos and about half of the total endangered black rhino population on the African continent.

Namibia: New rhino poaching figures!

According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, Namibia has lost at least 63 rhinos to poaching, of which 41 are black rhinos and 22 are white rhinos, since the beginning of 2022. This year’s poaching cases include 26 rhinos poached in the Etosha National Park, 22 rhino on private farms and 15 rhinos on custodianship farms. Namibia recorded 44 (43?) rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018, and 55 in 2017.

 
Romeo Muyunda further revealed that 106 suspects have been arrested since January 2022 in Namibia, of which 44 are linked to crimes related to rhino poaching and 62 to crimes related to elephant poaching. Out of 106 suspects, 93 are Namibians, eight are from Angola and five from Zambia.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Namibia has recorded 55 cases of rhino poaching since the beginning of this year. According to the Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, this is compared to a total of 44 (43?) rhinos poached in 2021. However, 36 people have been arrested in Namibia for rhino-related cases this year, compared to 80 in 2021. Minister Shifeta further said that two elephants have been poached in Namibia so far this year compared to a total of eight in 2021. 58 people have been arrested for elephant-related cases so far in 2022, compared to 98 people arrested in 2021.

btw.: As of October 2021, Namibia had recorded 14 cases of rhino poaching and five cases of elephant poaching.

Namibia: New rhino poaching figures!

Namibia has recorded 48 cases of rhino poaching, of which 32 are black rhinos and 16 are white rhinos, since the beginning of 2022. According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, 20 rhinos were poached in Etosha National Park, 12 black rhinos were poached on custodianship farms and 16 white rhinos were poached on private farms. The Etosha figures include three carcasses discovered in June 2022 and recently confirmed as poached after a thorough assessment in the National Park as well as two more carcasses that the MEFT discovered last week.
Namibia recorded 44 rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018, and 55 in 2017.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Namibia has recorded 33 cases of rhino poaching, of which 24 are black rhinos and nine are white rhinos, and two cases of elephant poaching since the beginning of 2022. According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, this year’s poaching cases include nine black rhinos poached on custodianship farms, 15 black rhinos in the Etosha National Park, and another nine white rhinos on private farms.
Namibia recorded 44 rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018, and 55 in 2017 as well as eight elephants poached in 2021, 12 in 2020, 13 in 2019, 27 in 2018 and 50 in 2017.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

Namibia: Eleven rhino carcasses discovered in Etosha National Park! [update]

update (11 July 2022): According to Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, law enforcement officials in Namibia have arrested 11 people in connection with the June 2022 poaching incidents where 11 rhinos were killed in Etosha National Park.

Namibia's Mininstry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has announced that eleven black rhino carcasses without horns have been discovered in Etosha National Park since 01 June 2022. Investigations indicate that the carcasses range between 3 weeks and older. This brings the total number of recorded cases of rhino poaching in Namibia to 22 since the beginning of this year. No arrests have been made yet on the recent discovery of rhino carcasses in Namibia's flagship park..
The MEFT further announced that it will together with the Namibian Police Force, the Namibia Defence Force and other partners intensify wildlife protection and law enforcement interventions in Etosha National Park. 

Historic return of rhinos to Mozambique! [update]

update (31 August 2022): Zinave National Park in Mozambique has received 27 rhinos in the past two months. According to Bernard van Lente, project manager of the Peace Parks foundation, 54 men have been trained by Peace Parks to reinforce security in the national park and a helicopter to reinforce the patrol work, which is on site day and night, has been requested.

Zinave National Park in Mozambique is set to become the first “big five” National Park in the country and the host of the first founder population of the critically endangered black rhino and the near threatened white rhino. After becoming locally extinct more than 40 years ago, diversified resources company, Exxaro Resources, and southern African NGO, Peace Parks Foundation, are spearheading the project to reintroduce both rhino species to the National Park in 2022. Zinave National Park, which is co-managed between Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks, is situated in the district of Mambone near the Save river in the Inhambane Province of Mozambique. 

(c) Peace Parks Foundation

Since 2016 an intensive rewilding programme has reintroduced more than 2 300 game animals representing 14 different species into Zinave National Park. This has included rewilding the park with buffalo, elephant and leopard. In September 2021, the first lions were also recorded in Zinave after a 40-year absence.

KwaZulu-Natal: Shocking rhino poaching figures!

According to the "Daily Maverick", a South African daily online newspaper, at least 75 rhinos have been illegally killed by poachers in South Africa's province of KwaZulu-Natal since the beginning of 2022 (01 January - 04 April 2022). Almost all of the 75 animals were poached in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa and the flaghip park of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. A total of 102 rhinos got illegally killed by poachers in 2021 in KwaZulu-Natal and 93 rhinos in 2020. The "Daily Maverick" quotes Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo saying that rhinos had been dehorned in most of the agency’s smaller reserves, but he was not aware of any plans to dehorn animals in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is a governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in South Africa's province of KwaZulu-Natal. 

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to Namibia's Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, the country has recorded two cases of rhino poaching and one case of elephant poaching since the beginning of 2022. A total of 43 rhinos got illegally killed by poachers in 2021 and 40 rhinos in 2020, while eight elephants have been poached in 2021 and 12 elephants in 2020.
Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

 

South Africa has released rhino poaching statistics for 2021!

South Africa's Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has released the rhino poaching numbers for 2021. According to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, a total of 451 rhino were poached in South Africa last year, with 327 poached within government reserves, while 124 were poached on private property. In 2021, 209 rhino were poached for their horns in South African National Parks (SANParks) – all in the Kruger National Park. This was a decrease in comparison to 2020, when 247 rhino were poached within South Africa's National Parks. None of SANParks’ smaller rhino parks experienced any rhino losses from poaching in 2021, in comparison to the two rhino that were poached in 2020. 

Last year, there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities with 77 of them within the Kruger National Park and 109 outside the National Park. This compares with 156 people arrested countrywide in 2020. In the 38 verdicts handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhino poachers/traffickers.

Rwanda: Akagera National Park welcomes 30 white rhinos in largest-ever single translocation!

In the largest single rhino translocation ever undertaken, 30 white rhinos have been introduced to Akagera National Park in Rwanda in November 2021. The rhinos were sourced from the andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The translocation was carried out through a collaboration between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), African Parks and andBeyond, with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The rhinos will be monitored daily in Akagera National Park by a dedicated team and a specialist veterinarian who will be overseeing their acclimation. Each rhino has also been fitted with a transmitter to enable constant monitoring by dedicated tracking teams; a canine anti-poaching unit and helicopter surveillance are also in place to provide further support for their long-term protection.
The translocation of the 30 rhino to Akagera National Park aims to extend the white rhino range and create a secure new breeding stronghold in Rwanda, supporting population growth to ensure the long-term survival of the species in the wild as high-levels of poaching continue to exert unsustainable pressure on current populations. In the recent years, lions (2015) as well as black rhino (2017 and 2019) have already been successfully reintroduced to Akagera National Park.

White rhinos introduced to Akagera in Rwanda
© Gael Vande Weghe & African Parks

Akagera National Park is a protected area in eastern Rwanda covering 1,122 km² along the international border with Tanzania. The National Park is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.

Poaching crisis: Botswana moves all rhinos out of Okavango Delta!

According to a media statement by Dr Kabelo J. Senyatso, the director at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Botswana has lost 99 rhinos to poaching activities between 2010 and 2020. 97 of the 99 rhinos got illegally killed by poachers between 2018 and 2020 (2018: 5; 2019: 30; 2020: 62), while the remaining two animals were poached in 2013 and 2016 respectivley. Due to surge in poaching, the Government of Botswana has decided to move all rhinos out of the Okavango Delta into sanctuaries around Botswana. This environment is expected to allow for conservation and rapid propagation of the species under a secure and smaller area. Over the next years, the animals from the sanctuary will be used to re-populate other areas in Botswana, including the Okavango Delta. 

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to significantly decline this year in Namibia. According to the latest figures released by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 14 rhinos and five elephants have been illegally killed by hunters in Namibia so far in 2021. Seven white rhinos and one black rhino were poached from private farms, while six black rhinos got killed in the Etosha National Park. The five elephants poached were from the Zambezi region, the Kavango East region and the Otjozondjupa region. 

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world. 

South Africa: Rhino killings on the rise again!

South Africa's Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy, has announced that South Africa has seen an increase in rhino poaching in the first six months of 2021. From January 2021 to the end of June 2021, a total of 249 rhino have been poached for their horn in South Africa. While this is higher than the number of rhino killed for their horns in the same period last year, at 166, it is less than the 318 rhino that were poached in the first six months of 2019. According to the Minister, the national lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19 in 2020 contributed to a decrease in rhino poaching in that year. The lifting of the stringent lockdown regulations in South Africa now seems to lead to an uptick in poaching activity in the country.
During the first six months of 2021, Kruger National Park experienced 715 poacher activities, an increase of 3.77% in comparison to the number in 2020, which was 689 for the same period. From January 2021 to end of June 2021, 132 rhino were poached for their horns in the Kruger National Park. One elephant was poached for its ivory in the Kruger National Park during this period.
From January to June 2021, 40 alleged poachers were arrested within the Kruger National Park. A total of 125 people have been arrested for rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking across South Africa in the past six months.

Noticeable increased poacher pressure has been experienced in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the the Free State. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is also monitoring the increased pressure seen on private rhino reserves in South Africa and is collaborating closely with the private sector which continues to play a significant role in rhino protection. During the same reporting period (01 January to 30 June) over the last three years, losses in private parks in South Africa constituted 15% of the total reported loss in 2019, 9% in 2020 and 30% so far in 2021.

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to significantly decline this year in Namibia. According to the latest figures released by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, nine rhinos have been illegally killed by hunters in Namibia so far in 2021. This is the lowest number in eight years for the period. Four elephants have been killed this way, a five-year low.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world.