Rhino Poaching Cases Fall in South Africa

Increased security and anti-poaching tactics have resulted in a decline in rhinos being killed for their horns at Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa, in the first six months of 2023.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment released a statement on Tuesday, 1 August, announcing that between January and June, there was “an eleven per cent decrease (or a decline of 28 animals killed for their horn) compared to the same period last year.”

Barbara Creecy, minister of the department, attributed the decline to effective collaborations between local law enforcement, prosecuting authorities and private security companies.

As a result of the decrease in rhino poaching, the department hopes to be able to widen its focus “to break the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking in South Africa and beyond its borders,” according to Creecy.

“Although currently our main focus is rhino, the strategy also aims to address the illegal trade in, and poaching of, other species that are threatened by trafficking syndicates, like abalone” she added.

Meanwhile, provincial and private reserves have seen an upward trend of poachers in their precincts in recent months, so they are also being encouraged to implement strict measures against the practice.

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