In a concerning trend, the overall rhino poaching rates in South Africa saw a modest reduction of 16% in 2025, but this improvement is overshadowed by a significant increase in poaching within Kruger National Park. The number of rhinos killed in this expansive wildlife habitat has doubled from the previous year, raising alarm among conservationists and wildlife officials. This shift appears to coincide with successful anti-poaching efforts in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where poaching incidents have sharply declined due to an extensive dehorning initiative launched in April 2024.

Conservation experts suggest that the success of the dehorning operation in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has led poachers to redirect their efforts towards Kruger National Park, which is known to be a key stronghold for rhinos in South Africa. The contrast in poaching statistics between these two regions highlights the displacement effect of anti-poaching strategies; while they may alleviate the pressure on rhinos in one area, they can inadvertently increase threats in another, particularly in areas that remain unprotected.

The situation calls for a reevaluation of anti-poaching tactics and support for integrated conservation strategies that address the root causes of poaching. As the Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of this unsettling trend, the need for coordinated efforts among conservationists, local authorities, and communities becomes increasingly urgent to ensure the survival of rhino populations moving forward, especially given the species' already vulnerable status.