The WWF noted that in 2023, some 307 rhinos were killed in HiP alone, representing more than 10% of the park’s population and some 60% of the national poaching loss in South Africa.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh says the government will continue to fight to end rhino poaching and to bring the perpetrators to book.
Singh was speaking during a commemoration event to mark World Rhino Day at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
It was reported last week that rhino poaching in the HiP had seen a marked drop after a dehorning operation.
The World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) said that dehorning of rhinos in the HiP had resulted in an 80% drop in poaching at the park since April.
The WWF noted that in 2023, some 307 rhinos were killed in HiP alone, representing more than 10% of the park’s population and some 60% of the national poaching loss in South Africa.
Singh said that while they welcomed the positive impact made by the dehorning of rhinos, the government wanted to reach a stage where rhino poaching was stopped and there was no need for dehorning.
“We mark World Rhino Day to bring to the attention of the world that we want to protect and preserve this beautiful animal. We are concerned about poaching and unscrupulous individuals who are paying for these animals to be killed for their horns.”
Singh added that they welcomed the programme of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to dehorn rhinos to protect them.
“We are not in complete favour of rhinos being dehorned as we believe the horn has a purpose but we do understand the need to keep away poachers.
I’m pleased to report the dehorning has reduced the poaching in this area.
“Eventually, we do not want to continue dehorning rhinos and want poaching to be stopped and want to make sure we arrest the kingpins who are paying poachers to kill rhinos.”
Yvette Taylor, director of the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, said World Rhino Day reminded people of the relentless fight to save the rhino.
“It is also important to view this crisis in the broader context of the billion-dollar illegal trade in wildlife. Africa has suffered heavy losses in numerous species, but for South Africa the brutality and intensity of rhino poaching has been distressing.
“The fight is far from won and requires continued action on every front using every tool available. There is a lot being done by government, private owners and NGOs to fight back and although the wins have not been large, there has been some success.”
Dr Guy Fyvie, senior veterinary affairs manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition and from a private game reserve’s K9 unit in KZN, said rangers across South Africa, supported by K9 anti-poaching units, had been instrumental in tracking and apprehending poachers.
“As we marked World Rhino Day yesterday, South Africa’s rhinos remain under threat, with 229 poached in the first six months of 2024. This is a slight drop from 231 during the same period in 2023. Manyoni Private Game Reserve’s K9 unit in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the many K9 units around the country, successfully apprehended six poachers in 2023, with no rhinos lost to poaching on the reserve.”
Stuart Dunlop, reserve ecologist at Babanango Game Reserve, said they had dehorned their rhino population.
Bongani Khumalo, a wildlife monitor at Babanango, said: “Monitoring these animals on a daily basis is a demanding, necessary and very exciting job. Knowing that all the animals that we look after are still alive and in good condition makes us as monitors proud to do what we do.”
The Mercury