South Africa recorded a 16% decline in rhino poaching in 2025, with 352 animals killed, down from 420 in 2024, the country’s environment minister announced on Tuesday.
Minister Willie Aucamp attributed the decrease to coordinated tactical operations and dedicated anti-poaching efforts. The data shows 266 rhinos were poached on state-owned land and 86 on private properties.
However, the provincial picture was mixed. Mpumalanga province was the hardest hit, with 178 rhinos lost—a significant increase from 92 in 2024. The vast majority of these, 175, were poached in the Kruger National Park, which saw its toll rise from 88 the previous year.
In contrast, KwaZulu-Natal reported a major success. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park saw poaching drop from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife credited this reduction to the Integrated Wildlife Zones (IWZ) programme, which fosters closer collaboration with private rhino owners, and sustained support from conservation partners including WWF and Save the Rhino International.
Minister Aucamp highlighted a multi-faceted strategy behind the national decline. While a strategic dehorning programme initiated in 2024 helped stabilise pressures, he said 2025’s results were driven by complementary interventions. These included enhanced early-warning systems using advanced camera technology and sensors, and the Integrity Implementation Plan, which involved polygraph testing of all park law enforcement staff to strengthen organisational integrity.
Legal outcomes are also a focus. The National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking is yielding longer prison sentences for rhino-related crimes. The Director of Public Prosecutions’ Environmental Working Group is improving the prosecution of organised crime by combining multiple cases against syndicates, addressing money laundering aspects.
South Africa’s international enforcement efforts were recognised with the Asia Environmental Enforcement Award, celebrating cross-border collaboration against wildlife trafficking.
The minister concluded that sustained success requires an intelligence-driven, partnership-based approach, with constant adaptation and integrity across all sectors. While the overall trend is positive, the rising poaching pressure in Mpumalanga underscores the need for continued vigilance and tailored regional strategies.
