South Africa's Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, announced a significant 16% reduction in rhino poaching for the year 2025 compared to the previous year. This improvement is attributed to the country's intensified anti-poaching initiatives, which have led to better coordination and rapid response tactics among enforcement agencies. Notably, a total of 352 rhinos were poached last year, a decrease from 420 in 2024.

Despite the overall decline in poaching, the province of Mpumalanga experienced a troubling surge, with 178 rhinos lost in the region, most of which were from the high-profile Kruger National Park. This marks a stark increase from the 92 rhinos poached in Mpumalanga in 2024, indicating that while national efforts may be showing success, localized poaching dynamics remain a significant issue.

The findings highlight the ongoing battle against wildlife crime in South Africa, stressing the need for continuous and adaptive conservation strategies. The increased poaching in certain areas underscores the complexities involved in anti-poaching strategies and the necessity for targeted intervention to address specific hotspots.