Despite containment efforts, Africa sees sharp rise in Rhino poaching

Despite efforts to protect the animals, South Africa recorded 499 rhino poaching cases in 2023—51 more than the year before, the government said on Tuesday.

The world’s largest population of near-threatened white rhinos and nearly half of Africa’s critically endangered black rhino population live in South Africa.

The horns of rhinos are poached because they are used to make jewelry and traditional medicines in east Asian nations.

In 2023, South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment released a statement stating that 406 rhinos were killed on state-owned properties and 93 on privately owned parks, reserves, and farms.

“The pressure again has been felt in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park facing the brunt of poaching cases,” environment minister Barbara Creecy said.

“While KZN recorded 49 arrests and 13 firearms seized, multi-disciplinary teams continue to work tirelessly in an attempt to slow this relentless pressure.”

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Kruger National Park recorded a 37% decrease from 2022 with 78 rhinos poached in 2023. No rhinos were poached in any other national parks.

Rhino poaching often involves international criminal syndicates which rely on the help of local poachers and collude with park rangers.

South Africa’s environment ministry said last year it was increasing healthcare, training and counselling services for rangers to discourage them from assisting the poachers.

With inputs from Reuters