S.Africa links fall in Kruger’s rhino poaching to declining animal numbers

South Africa announced on Tuesday that its renowned Kruger National Park has experienced a consistent decline in rhino poaching incidents. This decrease can be attributed to improved patrols and the successful efforts made in recent years to combat poaching, forcing poachers to target other areas.

The government reported that from January to June of this year, 42 rhinos were killed for their horns in the park, a significant reduction compared to the same period last year.

Overall, South Africa recorded a total of 231 rhino killings in the first half of 2023, indicating an 11 percent decrease compared to 2022, as reported by the Ministry of Environment.

In response to inquiries about the impact of the decline in Kruger’s rhino population, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy acknowledged that the rhino population in the park has been significantly affected by poaching over the past two decades. She emphasized that this is the reason why poaching activities have shifted to other locations. Minister Creecy also commended the exceptional efforts of rangers and law enforcement agencies in contributing to the overall decrease in rhino poaching incidents.

While Minister Creecy refrained from disclosing the exact number of rhinos remaining in the park, she stated that revealing this information could potentially aid criminals. According to statistics from the South African National Parks authority, SANParks, Kruger National Park had an estimated rhino population of 2,800 in 2021, a drastic decrease of around 70 percent compared to 2008 when the population was approximately 10,000.

The government highlighted that illegal hunters have increasingly targeted regional parks and private reserves. The province of KwaZulu-Natal, in particular, has suffered from this trend, with 143 rhinos killed in the first half of 2023—10 more than the corresponding period in 2022.

South Africa, which is home to almost 80 percent of the world’s rhinoceros population, remains a major hotbed for poaching driven by demand from Asia, where rhino horns are used in traditional medicine due to their perceived therapeutic benefits.

In recent years, the South African government has implemented stricter security measures in Kruger National Park and intensified efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

Starting from 2023, new employees of SANParks are required to undergo a lie detector test as a precautionary measure against potential collusion with poachers.

© 2023 AFP

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