Rhino poaching in South Africa’s Kruger National Park nearly doubled in 2025, despite interventions including dehorning programmes and lie detector tests for rangers, the government announced on Tuesday.
The park lost 175 rhinos to poachers last year, compared to 88 in 2024, according to the environment ministry. However, national figures showed a decline, with 352 rhinos killed by poachers across South Africa in 2025, a 16% drop from the previous year.
The ministry attributed the national decrease to dehorning programmes and improved detection measures, including advanced cameras and sensors.
Kruger authorities identified a link between failed polygraph tests among rangers and increased poaching incidents. Follow-up investigations resulted in seven staff dismissals.
South Africa holds the world’s largest rhino population, with nearly 14 390 animals at the end of 2024, according to the International Rhino Foundation. More than 80% are white rhinos. The global population stands at approximately 26 700.
The ministry did not specify whether the poached animals were white rhinos or black rhinos, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists as critically endangered.
Environment minister Willie Aucamp has proposed reintroducing limited hunting trophy export quotas for black rhinos, elephants and leopards after a four-year freeze. The proposal, published last week for public consultation, sets quotas of 150 elephants, 12 black rhinos and 11 leopards.
South Africa’s wild elephant population has increased by 41% to more than 43 680 animals, according to the proposal. The suggested black rhino quota aligns with CITES provisions that limit hunting trophy exports of adult males to 0.5% of the population.
ALSO READ: Rhino poaching drops 16% as South Africa intensifies anti-trafficking efforts
