South Africa\u2019s anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts saw a 16% drop in rhino poaching in 2025 compared to 2024. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,<\/a> Mr. Willie Aucamp, attributes the decline to \u201cdedication and tactical, swift coordination.\u201d Conservationists, however, caution that the fight against rhino poaching is far from over.
\n\u201cFrom January to December 2025, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves, or farms. This was a decrease of 68 in comparison to 420 rhinos poached in 2024,\u201d said Minister Aucamp.
\nMpumalanga was the hardest-hit province, losing 178 rhinos, mostly in Kruger National Park, which reported 175 poached rhinos\u2014up from 88 in 2024. In contrast, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal saw poaching drop from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025, thanks to collaboration through the Integrated Wildlife Zones (IWZ) Programme and support from WWF,<\/a> Save the Rhino International,<\/a> Wildlife ACT,<\/a> and Peace Parks Foundation.<\/a>
\nEzemvelo notes that 2025\u2019s reduction was driven by multiple measures: strategic dehorning, advanced detection technologies, early-warning systems, and the Integrity Implementation Plan, including polygraphing of all park law-enforcement personnel.
\nThe National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) <\/a>is strengthening prosecutions, centralizing cases to give courts a full view of criminal syndicates, including organized crime and money laundering. A key example is ZM Muiambo, aka Thomas Chauke, who was found guilty on 19 charges, including illegal rhino hunting and theft of rhino horns. In April 2025, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.\u00a0
\nMinister Aucamp conveyed his gratitude to private rhino owners and the private sector for their anti-poaching efforts. He emphasized that coordinated action by the government, NGOs, and the private sector is central to sustaining progress.
\n\u201cSouth Africa continues to strengthen its international collaboration to curb rhino poaching and wildlife trafficking. These efforts led to the country receiving the Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence Award<\/a> late last year, which celebrates excellence in enforcement by government officials, institutions, and teams combatting transboundary environmental crimes,\u201d said Minister Aucamp.
\n\u201cWorking together with the South African anti-poaching and anti-trafficking organizations, we remain committed to a balanced, intelligence-driven, and partnership-based approach to rhino protection, recognizing that sustained success requires constant adaptation, integrity, and cooperation across all sectors,\u201d said Minister Aucamp.
\n\u201cWhile this is much-needed progress, rhinos remain under serious threat. Urgent and coordinated action across all sectors is needed to stop poaching and ensure these animals have a future in the wild.\u201d \u2014 Peace 4 Animals<\/a> & World Animal News\u00a0<\/a>
\nMembers of the public can report suspicious wildlife activities to the environmental crime hotline at 0800 205 005 or SAPS 10111.<\/p>\n
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