World Rhino Day: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reports significant poaching decline

Marking World Rhino Day on Monday (September 22), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said there has been an 80% reduction in rhino poaching in Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Park (HiP) in northern KZN.

In a statement Ezemvelo said that in comparison to the 2023 figures, KZN has seen a significant reduction in rhino poaching, with a notable decrease at HiP.

In recent years, stats from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment have shown that poachers had shifted focus to KZN with HiP being a significant target.

Ezemvelo stated that from 2009 to 2024, 40% of the park's rhinos were lost.

It said its Rhino Guardianship Strategy, which was launched in August 2024, set ambitious goals to mitigate poaching and conserve rhino.

Part of the measures implemented include intensification of anti-poaching patrols and surveillance, improvement of boundary fences, integrity testing with field staff and mass dehorning.

It noted that less than three months, 1,071 rhinos were dehorned, a strategic intervention that has proven highly effective.

“We have seen firsthand how dehorning, combined with integrity testing and surveillance technology, can shift the odds in favour of rhino protection,” said Dumisani Zwane, officer in charge of the Game Capture Field Operations at Ezemvelo.

“The scale and precision of our operation at Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Park has proven to be highly effective in addressing the scourge of poaching incidents. We are now only down to single monthly digits in poaching incidents, which is a significant turnaround. The work does not stop until poaching is eliminated entirely from our reserves.”

Ezemvelo’s CEO Sihle Mkhize said the sharp decline in poaching is a direct result of relentless collective efforts and bold strategic measures to protect the rhino population.

“Ezemvelo remains committed to intensify these efforts, fuelled by optimism for even greater victories in safeguarding our wildlife heritage."

Other measures to curb poaching include:

• The Ezemvelo Integrity Implementation Plan has seen over 100 staff members undergo independent integrity testing, including 58 HiP staff and 55 rhino reserve managers.
• Refurbishment of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system and the deployment of 216 trap cameras.
• The park has deployed vehicle trackers, drones, and helicopters equipped with advanced night-vision capabilities, and is currently expanding a R40 million smart fence funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.

“Operational strength has been significantly enhanced through advanced, specialized training that sharpens K9 reaction and tracking capabilities. A dedicated wildlife prosecutor now stands at the forefront, tackling wildlife crime cases across the province.

“Most critically, the strategy pioneers the development of Integrated Wildlife Zone (IWZ) guidelines and drives community beneficiation projects, empowering local residents as vital partners in the fight for conservation,” said Vuyiswa Radebe, Head Biodiversity Conservation Operations, at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

THE MERCURY