Poaching of rhinos in South Africa has significantly increased in Kruger National Park, while it has decreased in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park due to extensive conservation efforts.
In a concerning trend for wildlife conservation, poachers have redirected their efforts back to Kruger National Park, resulting in a dramatic increase in rhino killings. While the overall poaching rates in South Africa saw a modest decline of 16% in 2025, the number of rhinos killed in Kruger doubled compared to the previous year. This shift highlights the ongoing challenges faced by conservationists in protecting these endangered species within such a vast area.
Contrastingly, poaching incidents in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which has previously been a hotspot for rhino poaching, experienced a significant decrease. Conservation officials attribute this drop to a mass dehorning initiative that started in April 2024, reducing the incentive for poachers in that region. However, this successful tactic in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi has inadvertently led to an increase in poaching in Kruger, as poachers move their operations to areas where rhinos remain vulnerable.
The latest statistics from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment revealed that a total of 352 rhinos were killed in Kruger National Park, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to address this redistribution of poaching. This situation underscores the complexity of wildlife conservation, where success in one area can lead to unforeseen challenges in another, necessitating a comprehensive approach to national wildlife protection efforts.
