World Rhino Day: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reports significant poaching decline

MARKING World Rhino Day yesterday, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said there has been an 80% reduction in rhino poaching in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in northern KZN.

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENT

In a statement, Ezemvelo said that in comparison to the 2023 figures, KZN has seen a significant reduction in rhino poaching, with a notable decrease at HiP.

In recent years, stats from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment have shown that poachers had shifted focus to KZN, with HiP being a significant target.

Ezemvelo stated that from 2009 to 2024, 40% of the park's rhinos were lost.

It said its Rhino Guardianship Strategy, which was launched in August 2024, set ambitious goals to mitigate poaching and conserve rhino.

Part of the measures implemented include intensification of anti-poaching patrols and surveillance, improvement of boundary fences, integrity testing of field staff and mass dehorning.

It noted that in less than three months, 1 071 rhinos were dehorned, a strategic intervention that has proven highly effective.