Thirty-five rhinoceroses have been poached since the beginning of the year in Kruger National Park, the largest in South Africa, despite interventions such as dehorning aimed at deterring poachers, revealed the South African National Parks (SANParks) on Tuesday.
“Transnational syndicates targeting animals are relentless in their pursuit of rhino horn,” said Bruce Leslie, regional forestry manager for special operations at SANParks, lamenting the high number of rhinos killed in less than two months in Kruger Park despite the efforts made by wildlife authorities.
He acknowledged that even though enormous efforts have been made to dehorn rhinos in Kruger National Park and in the wildlife of KwaZulu-Natal province, “it is clear that poaching syndicates are adapting to the new situation and seem determined to poach rhinos, as there is still a market for them.”
Kruger National Park, which covers nearly 20,000 km², is 350 km long from north to south and 60 km wide from east to west. It experienced a 37% decrease in poaching incidents last year, with 78 rhinos killed, according to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
In South Africa, poaching of rhinos and elephants poses a major challenge for authorities. A total of 499 rhinos were killed across the country in 2024 for their horns.
Poaching is fueled by demand from Asia, where rhino horn is used in traditional medicine for its supposed therapeutic effects.