In the first quarter of 2025, poachers killed more than 100 rhinos in South Africa, with most incidents occurring within national parks. The figure underscores the continued threat facing one of the world’s most iconic and endangered animals.
Environment Minister Dion George reported that 103 rhinos were killed between January 1 and March 31, with 65 of them poached inside protected park areas. He described the daily killings as a harsh reminder of the ongoing dangers to South Africa’s wildlife.
South Africa is home to the world’s largest rhino population, estimated at between 16,000 and 18,000. This includes both black and white rhinos. Black rhinos, which are only found in the wild in Africa, are classified as critically endangered, with only about 6,400 remaining globally—around 2,000 of them in South Africa.
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Authorities have intensified their efforts to target organized crime syndicates believed to be behind much of the poaching activity. One notable success came last year when a leading figure in rhino poaching, Simon Ernesto Valoi from Mozambique, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for leading an operation that targeted rhinos in Kruger National Park.
The ongoing struggle to protect rhinos remains a significant challenge for conservationists and law enforcement alike.