‘In 2022, 124 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, representing a 40% decrease compared with those killed for their horns in 2021,’ said Barbara Creecy, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister of South Africa.
In contrast, KwaZulu-Natal recorded an increase in the number of rhinos killed, with 244 being slaughtered for their horns, compared to 102 in 2021. Most killings took place in provincial parks and 16 in privately owned reserves.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park was explicitly targeted, according to Creecy, due to its size and community relations that still need improvement. ‘The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is smaller than the Kruger National Park, and ten communities surround it. It’s easier for criminals to study the park and navigate through it,’ said Musa Mntambo to News24, spokesperson for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The entity relies on foot patrols, tip-offs from surrounding community members and police stationed inside the park to monitor criminal activity.
The main concern about dehorning is its impact on tourism, according to Mntambo. ‘Some tourists prefer visiting our parks to see rhinos with their full horns still intact,’ he said.
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