Rhino Poaching Continues to Decline

Statement by Andrew de Blocq MP – DA Spokesperson on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:

The release of the 2025 rhino poaching statistics by Minister Willie Aucamp indicate that a total of 352 rhinos were poached across South Africa in 2025, down from 420 in 2024 and 499 in 2023. This represents a repeated 16% reduction over consecutive years — a steady decline that reflects the impact of strengthened interventions and a renewed focus on combating wildlife crime under Democratic Alliance (DA) leadership.

While these figures offer cautious optimism, they also highlight serious areas of concern that demand urgent attention in 2026.

Three-quarters of all poached rhinos were killed on state land, with nearly two-thirds of these losses occurring in the Kruger National Park. Alarmingly, this represents a doubling of rhinos lost in Kruger compared to both 2023 and 2024. This surge is likely linked to the displacement of poaching syndicates from KwaZulu-Natal, where a large-scale dehorning programme has led to a dramatic reduction in killings. Instability in Mozambique may also have contributed to the increase in poaching as communities become increasingly desperate, as has been observed happening previously during times of electoral conflict and natural disasters.

These trends reinforce growing evidence that dehorning remains the most immediate and effective deterrent against poaching, buying critical time while longer-term systemic solutions are implemented.

The DA supports South African National Parks’ continued investment in anti-poaching operations in Kruger, including enhanced ranger capacity, advanced surveillance and response technologies, and rigorous integrity testing of both senior management and field staff.

However, meaningful progress will require far greater resourcing. The DA reiterates our call for increased funding to combat wildlife crime, including securing reserve fencing, filling critical ranger vacancies, expanding specialised environmental courts, and deploying modern detection technologies.

The DA would further like to congratulate private rhino owners for the critical role they play in the protection and conservation of the species. Fewer than 100 rhinos were lost on private land, which is testament to the significant commitment and investment into the conservation of their rhinos.

Successive years of declining poaching numbers provide hope and deserve recognition. The inclusion of environmental crime in the G20 Cape Town Ministerial Statements is another encouraging signal that momentum is building against organised wildlife trafficking syndicates. But defeating these networks will require sustained interdepartmental cooperation between Environment, Police, Justice and Transport, alongside provincial authorities. It also demands stronger partnerships with local communities and decisive engagement with market countries driving illegal trade.

The DA remains resolute in ensuring that the fight against rhino poaching remains a national priority, and that conservation and law enforcement agencies are properly equipped to protect South Africa’s iconic wildlife for generations to come.