Rhino poaching declines at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has welcomed the decline in rhino poaching figures in the province, particularly at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP).

This follows an announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp, who revealed that rhino poaching numbers at the park dropped from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025 – a 68% decline.

Ezemvelo attributed this to a ‘coordinated implementation of multiple measures’.

“While the dehorning programme initiated in 2024 served as an important early deterrent, Ezemvelo’s analysis confirms that the success in 2025 was driven by a far broader, integrated security architecture. No single intervention achieved these results,” said Ezemvelo communications manager Musa Mntambo.

Mntambo said the interventions include formalised collaboration with private and community rhino owners, investment in advanced camera surveillance, sensor networks, drones, and aerial support to strengthen rapid detection and reaction.

“Importantly, Ezemvelo has already begun 2026 on an even stronger footing.

“Demonstrating the province’s resolve and the effectiveness of its intensified operations, January 2026 recorded zero rhinos poached across the entire province, a milestone not achieved in over a decade.

“This unprecedented achievement signals growing momentum in the fight against wildlife crime, and affirms that sustained, coordinated interventions are yielding measurable results,” said Mntambo.

Read the full story in the ZO Monday edition

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY