South Africa sees 16% decline in rhino poaching in 2025
13th February 2026
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 attributes the decline to dedication and tactical, swift coordination.
“From January to December 2025, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms. This was a decrease of 68 in comparison to 420 rhinos poached in 2024,” said Minister Aucamp.
The hardest hit province was Mpumalanga that lost 178 rhinos; which is a notable increase from the 92 that were lost in 2024. The majority of the rhinos lost in Mpumalanga Province were in the Kruger National Park, which reported a total of 175 poached rhino for 2025. This is a sharp increase of 87 animals more than the 88 that were reported for Kruger National Park in 2024.
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 attributes the decline to dedication and tactical, swift coordination.
“From January to December 2025, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms. This was a decrease of 68 in comparison to 420 rhinos poached in 2024,” said Minister Aucamp.
The hardest hit province was Mpumalanga that lost 178 rhinos; which is a notable increase from the 92 that were lost in 2024. The majority of the rhinos lost in Mpumalanga Province were in the Kruger National Park, which reported a total of 175 poached rhino for 2025. This is a sharp increase of 87 animals more than the 88 that were reported for Kruger National Park in 2024.
