South African Rhinos: Poaching on the Rise in New Hotspot
South Africa's battle against rhino poaching has taken a turn for the worse with an increase in the number of rhinos killed last year.
Rising Numbers of Rhino Poaching in South Africa
According to Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa has increased. Last year, 499 rhinos were hunted, which is an increase of 51 from the previous year. South Africa is home to the majority of the world's rhinos, with about 2,000 black rhinos and 13,000 white rhinos.
Poaching has been on a decline since 2014 but has seen a recent increase. The demand for rhino horns in Asian countries like China and Vietnam, where they are used in traditional medicines, has contributed to the rise in poaching.
The majority of the rhinos killed last year were in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park in KwaZulu-Natal province. However, the Kruger National Park, which was previously a hotspot for poaching, saw a reduction of more than a third in 2023. Criminal groups have shifted their focus to other areas due to the success of anti-poaching efforts at Kruger.
Efforts to Combat Poaching
In response to the increasing poaching incidents, the South African government has taken several measures to fight against this illegal activity. Last year, they allocated $2.1 million to improve fencing in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park.
Additional steps have been taken, including hiring more patrollers and acquiring a new surveillance helicopter. These measures have led to a decrease in poaching incidents so far this year. By February last year, 30 rhinos had been poached, compared to 22 this year.
The government has also implemented an extensive de-horning program to make the rhinos less attractive to poachers. Furthermore, an anti-corruption drive has been launched to prevent park officials from colluding with poaching groups.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite these efforts, environmental groups and critics argue that more needs to be done. Jamie Joseph, the head of environmental group Saving the Wild, emphasized the importance of better intelligence gathering on poaching gangs to effectively combat poaching.
The government's specialist policing unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, has been praised for convicting 45 rhino poachers and traffickers. However, ongoing efforts are required to address the underlying issues and protect South Africa's rhino population.
The battle against poaching remains an ongoing challenge, and continued collaboration and innovation are essential to ensure the conservation and preservation of rhinos in South Africa.
