South Africa has seen a 16% decline in rhino poaching in 2025 compared to 2024. According to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp, this is due to dedication and tactical, swift coordination.
“From January to December 2025, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa with 266 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,” said Aucamp.
Losing 178 rhinos (compared to 92 in 2024), Mpumalanga was the most affected province. Kruger National Park reported a total of 175 poached rhino in 2025 (87 more than 2024).
KwaZulu-Natal’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park reported 63 poached rhinos in 2025 (compared to 198 in 2024). The reduction was attributed to closer collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and KwaZulu-Natal rhino owners through the Integrated Wildlife Zones Programme and support from conservation partners including WWF, Save the Rhino International, Wildlife ACT and Peace Parks Foundation.
Ezemvelo said the strategic dehorning programme implemented in 2024 was a “critical catalyst” but 2025 outcomes reflect the impact of multiple interventions including advanced camera technologies and sensors and the Integrity Implementation Plan, which included polygraph testing of all park law enforcement personnel.
