Rhino poaching on the decline: The LATEST numbers

In the first six months of 2023, 231 rhinos were killed in South Africa. That means 1.3 rhinos died every day.

That represents an 11% decrease (or a decline of 28 animals killed for their horn) compared to the same period last year.

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Between 1 January and 30 June 2023, poaching trends also continued to show a move away from the Kruger National Park to provincial and private reserves. 

Forty two rhino were poached in the Kruger National Park and 143 in KwaZulu-Natal province from January to June 2023, while 46 of the rhino killed were in privately-owned nature reserves and 143 in provincially owned reserves.

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Because the demand for rhino horn remains a constant threat to rhino populations collaboration between the law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS, DPCI and the Green Scorpions, Customs officials, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the National Prosecuting Authority, remain key. These efforts are supported by private security.

31 offenders convicted of rhino poaching

An important development in strengthening the collaboration between these role players in order to effectively address the organised nature of rhino poaching and wildlife trafficking, is cabinet’s approval in May this year of the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT).  

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“This strategy aims to break the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking in South Africa and beyond its borders. It represents a commitment by government to direct law enforcement ability and effort and mobilise society support to address the threat wildlife tracking poses to national security and the country’s rich biodiversity. 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” said Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy.

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In the first six months of this year our hard work with both the SAPS and the NPA has led to the conviction of 31 offenders.

The majority of sentences were custodial.

In Skukuza, one suspect found guilty of killing 3 rhino and possession of unlawful arms and ammunition was sentenced to an effective 32 years imprisonment.

In another matter, 3 accused, found driving in Kruger National Park, with 5 rhino horns hidden in the vehicle, a hunting rifle with a silencer, ammunition and knives, were convicted for the killing of 3 rhinos in the park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons and trespassing. Accused 1 and 2 were sentenced to 34 years imprisonment, whilst accused 3 was sentenced to 39 years imprisonment.

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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 SAPS number 10111

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Provincial and SANParks breakdown for January to June 2023:

Province / SANPark	Rhinos killed
SANParks	42
Gauteng	0
Limpopo	20
Mpumalanga	5
North West	5
Eastern Cape	15
Free State	0
Northern Cape	0
KwaZulu-Natal	143
Western Cape	1
TOTAL	231