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EZEMVELO HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A DECLINE IN RHINO POACHING FIGURES.

11 March 2025
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) CEO, Mr. Sihle Mkhize, has welcomed the announcement made by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, regarding the significant downward trend in rhino poaching within KwaZulu-Natal. The Minister attributed much of this progress to Ezemvelo’s tireless efforts, particularly through the Ezemvelo Dehorning Programme, which was implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) between April and October 2024.

The dehorning programme, which began on the 8th of April 2024, has had a remarkable impact on rhino poaching numbers, which in the first four months of 2024 amounted to 124 poaching mortalities. This translates to an average of 31 rhino mortalities per month during the first four months (January to April) of the year. In comparison to the 2023 figures, KwaZulu-Natal has seen a significant reduction in rhino poaching, with a notable decrease observed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which demonstrated a 67% decline in poaching incidents since the dehorning programme’s implementation.

Table 1: KwaZulu-Natal Annual Comparative Rhino Poaching Mortality Statistics 2022, 2023 and 2024

Below are monthly poaching statistics for 2024.

01 January to 31 December 2024

In addition to the dehorning programme, the Minister also acknowledged the successful implementation of the Ezemvelo Rhino Guardianship Strategy, launched in August 2024. This comprehensive strategy has led to a series of positive steps in rhino protection, including:

  • The establishment of the Ezemvelo Rhino Guardianship Advisory Group, which has facilitated the creation of a Crisis Action Plan and a memorandum of understanding for all stakeholders.
  • The swift deployment of the Ezemvelo Integrity Implementation Plan, which saw over 100 staff members, including 58 HiP staff and 55 rhino reserve managers, undergoing the independent integrity test.
  • The initiation of community awareness and beneficiation projects in HiP, aligned with the Ezemvelo Rhino Guardianship Strategy.
  • The refurbishment of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system at HiP to enhance monitoring.
  • The appointment of a HiP Smart Park Technician to oversee the installation of detection cameras, LoRa, and internet networks.
  • The strengthening of K9 reaction and tracking capacities through specialized training.
  • The assignment of a dedicated wildlife prosecutor in KZN to expedite wildlife crime cases.
  • The development of Integrated Wildlife Zone (IWZ) implementation guidelines to support coordinated conservation efforts across the province.
  • The linking of the HiP Operations Control Centre (OCC) to the KZN Provincial SAPS Operations Centre, with the support of Business Against Crime.

CEO Mr. Sihle Mkhize expressed his gratitude for the continued support from Minister George and other NGOs and stakeholders, emphasizing that Ezemvelo remains committed to the protection and conservation of rhinos. "The reduction in poaching numbers reflects the collective efforts and strategic interventions we have put in place to safeguard our rhino population. Ezemvelo is dedicated to ensuring that these efforts continue, and we are optimistic about making even greater strides in the future." Mr Mkhize stated.

For enquiries, you can contact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Communications Manager.