16% DECLINE IN RHINO POACHING SHOWS THE IMPACT OF ANTI-POACHING AND ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS, SAYS MINISTER AUCAMP 10 FEBRUARY 2026 South Africa’s anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts have yielded a 16% overall decline in rhino poaching in 2025 compared to 2024. This is according to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Willie Aucamp, who......
Read moreWildlife Trafficking remains a significant global issue that requires an intense and co-ordinated global endeavour if we are to succeed in disrupting the criminal networks. Having started off 2025 by attending a Ranger course at the Southern African Wildlife College, I have gained a better understanding of the scourge of poaching and the difficult work......
Read moreMany rhino-carrying reserves in South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape, have partnered with Rouxcel Technology, a conservation company specializing in the design and deployment of rhino collars which detect and transmit abnormal rhino behavior in real-time. The system consists of two main components, namely the AI-Enabled Rhino Collars and a private LoRa Network. The Rouxcel......
Read moreSome of the rhinos at Addo Elephant National Park are now collared with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to secure their safety. This is a first-of-its-kind intervention at the Park. Smart algorithms continuously monitor the rhino’s behaviour and in the event of an incident, an alert is generated that pinpoints the rhino’s location via GPS. This......
Read moreTwo former Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers were sentenced on Friday to an effective 20 years in prison for their involvement in rhino poaching, according to South African National Parks (SANParks). Lucky Mkanzi and Joe Sihlangu, former field rangers attached to the Crocodile Bridge section of the KNP, were arrested in January 2019. SANParks spokesperson......
Read moreDuring 2023, 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa, 406 were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms. This was an increase (of 51) in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022. “The pressure again has been felt in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province with Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park facing the brunt of poaching cases......
Read moreA senior manager working for Environmental Crime Investigations (ECI) at Groenkloof in Pretoria, was killed by a hippopotamus on Saturday. Kobus de Wet was attacked and killed by the hippo while camping in the Kruger National Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said. “Details are sketchy at this stage and circumstances around the......
Read moreJohannesburg – The Eastern Cape High Court sitting in Makhanda imposed heavy prison sentences on six Zimbabwean nationals in what game reserve owners in the Eastern Cape have called a major breakthrough in the war against rhino poaching syndicates. The men, Francis Chitiyo, 35, Trymore Chauke, 29, Misheck Chauke, 27, Simba Masinge, 27, Nhamo Muyambo,......
Read moreCape Town – The Skukuza Regional Court convicted and sentenced three men to hefty sentences, totalling over 100 years, for poaching-related offences. Zwelithini Mathebula 37, and Lucky Mhlongo 39, were sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment while their co-accused Teddy Dlamini 37, was sentenced to 39 years’ imprisonment. NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, said that the......
Read moreChief Clyde Mnisi was expected to appear in the Mpumalanga High Court in April to face charges relating to rhino poaching. He was shot and killed on Sunday night, March 26. Chief Clyde Mnisi (37) from Bohlabela in the Ehlanzeni District was fatally shot, allegedly multiple times, next to the KMI Airport road near White......
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"There are many non-government agencies (NGO’s) that purport to deliver real benefits to the people on the ground…the people on the coal face, and in the rhino protection space, the boots on the ground. Sadly, most do not. Stop Rhino Poaching (SRP), under the incredibly committed and passionate leadership of Elise Serfontein, is one of the few NGO’s that do indeed support the brave men and women on the ground who tirelessly spend their lives protecting not only rhino, but the integrity of protected areas and all species that live within their boundaries. I have had the privilege of witnessing the work that SRP does both in National Parks as well as in private protected areas and can without doubt state that SRP has and continues to support the rangers on the frontlines of the battle to save the iconic rhino species…and on all fronts has been immensely successful. This success comes from a place of deep respect and care, spending time talking to rangers and managers, carefully listening to fully understand the challenges and needs. Only once all aspects are fully understood, does SRP find a way to secure the resources to provide the required support. This process ensures that the support that SRP then provides is game changing! Working with a lean and fit for purpose organisation that is built on the values of collaboration, trust, respect and integrity is an absolute pleasure. Keep going Elise, we need you!"
"There is a quote by Albert Einstein which says, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”. Since its inception in 2010, Stop Rhino Poaching and Elise have certainly not sat back and done nothing! I have been fortunate to be involved with Elise since 2012 and am always taken aback by her commitment, dedication and passion not only for Rhino conservation and protection but for the people entrusted with this responsibility. Elise has stayed true to her motto of Trust, Collaboration and Impact and forged relationships between different Rhino Mangers, Section Rangers and Field Rangers on the ground and in doing so has brought us all together – sharing ideas and all working towards a common goal. By carefully understanding and listening to the needs of the Rangers at the forefront of Rhino poaching, Elise has channelled her support and funding to where it is needed most and makes a difference and perhaps more importantly, looking at sustainable ways to support Rhino and Rangers long into the future."
"SRP is one of the most effective,organized and well balanced NGOs I ever interacted or worked with! Keep up the good work! "
"I was introduced to anti-poaching K9's through Elise from SRP about 10 years ago. At that time Elise told me that my K9 working career will never be the same again. With the support and exposure I received from Elise through SRP I am privileged to have trained a high number of K9's for different people in Africa. I have met amazing people on the frontlines and visit astonishing places. Through SRP I am not only living my calling and passion but also giving back to rhinos, wildlife and communities. "
"The most refreshing aspect of SRP support is the pragmatic manner in which problems are tackled and solutions are found. There is always a genuine desire to make a difference however big or small that may be. SRP further, goes to a lot of effort to understand the issues that really count to the men and women on the ground, and at the coalface of rhino protection and conservation. We have found SRP to be of high integrity and a great team player with huge commitment, not only to the rhinos but very importantly to the people who are responsible for protecting and managing Southern Africa’s rhinos. "
"I met this blonde lady with heavy energy, like in next level energy. Her passion and drive is overwhelming, it spikes a different kind of emotion in me, we CAN do this. Needless to say, 11 years down the line, I am still very fortunate to call this lady my friend, Elise Serfontein. Her passion for not only persevering, but health, morale, stability and much more amongst rangers on the ground has made her the iron lady of the decade. You only know the true value of a person if you know where the heart is, SRP is one massive rhino heart. Without their dedication, out of the box forward thinking, new technology implementation, that special bond that they build with the reserve and you as person, much would not have been possible. A very challenging time lays ahead of us, we must be realistic. But with friends and true passionate rhino and ranger conservationist like SRP, we are willing to take the leap with them and explore the next move. We'll done SRP and Elise, we salute you. "