South Africa reported a decrease in rhino poaching in the first half of 2024, with 229 rhinos killed compared to last year’s figures. The government attributes this reduction to ongoing dehorning programs and underscores the need for global cooperation to protect these endangered animals.
Poaching remains a significant threat to South Africa’s rhino population, with at least one rhino being killed daily for its horn. Rhino horns, primarily composed of keratin (a protein found in human hair and nails), are highly valued in some East Asian countries for traditional medicine and jewelry.
Despite a modest overall decline, Environment Minister Dion George highlighted a notable decrease in poaching rates in May and June, thanks to dehorning efforts in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. “The reduction is largely due to dehorning initiatives, particularly in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where over 1,000 rhinos have been dehorned since April 2024,” George stated.
The numbers of rhinos poached fell to 21 in May and 22 in June, down from 42 and 34 in the same months of the previous year. Poachers, often linked to international crime syndicates, have increasingly targeted KZN after intensified surveillance and dehorning measures in Kruger National Park.
The Environment Ministry emphasized the importance of international collaboration due to the organized, transnational nature of these crimes. South African authorities have engaged with representatives from countries such as China, Singapore, and Vietnam to address the issue.
South Africa, which is home to approximately 16,000 rhinos, harbors about half of Africa’s critically endangered black rhinos and the largest population of threatened white rhinos.