Today, 22 September, marks the 13th annual World Rhino Day, with this year’s theme being ‘Poaching of rhinos. Illegal rhino horn trade. Low population density.’
The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment released the latest poaching figures showing a slight decrease in rhinos poached countrywide. However, the first six months of 2023 saw increased poaching in KwaZulu Natal.
143 rhinos were killed in KZN between January and June this year, compared to the 133 that were killed in the first half of 2022. Organised criminal networks shifted from the Kruger National Park, likely due to a decline in the rhino population after years of intense poaching and drought, combined with innovative rhino protection efforts.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition created the Making CONTACT campaign with the sentiment that we must all protect our natural heritage. The campaign is a five-part mini-series celebrating and profiling anti-poaching K9 units in South Africa’s nature reserves, focusing on the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KZN. The series highlights the amazing role dogs play and the incredible handlers making a difference in the fight against poaching.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KZN is often referred to as the ‘birthplace of rhino,’ as it was this area where the southern white rhino was saved from the brink of extinction over half a century ago. Under threat from poaching, the park must continuously adopt and adapt methods to protect the species and ensure this crucial population is conserved into the future.
The Hluhluwe iMfolozi K9 Unit was revamped in 2020. ‘The K9 unit has an incredible success rate, and the deterrent factor of having such a unit on site can never be underestimated,’ says Dennis Kelly, Makhamisa Section Ranger, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
South Africans are being called upon to help keep paws and boots on the ground by donating to the K9 anti-poaching units. Donations can be made here, with all proceeds going to the SANParks K9 Unit and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife K9 Units.
Pictures: Casey Pratt of Love Africa Marketing
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