Not one rhino poached in April

For the first time in almost a decade, not a single rhino was poached in the Kruger National Park’s intensive protection zone in April.

According to the department of environment, forestry and fisheries’ latest rhino poaching statistics from January to June, rhino poaching has decreased by roughly 53%, with a total of 166 killed for their horns since January.

During the same time period last year, 316 rhinos had already been poached.

But for founding director of Stop Rhino Poaching, Elise Serfontein, the recent statistics should not be celebrated just yet. The decrease has been largely attributed to lockdown movement restrictions, which prevented inter-provincial, nationwide and international travel.

The department reported that as lockdown restrictions have gradually been lifted, rhino poaching incidents have steadily increased.

“The threat has not changed, poachers simply do not have access to move around to shoot rhinos,” said Serfontein. “The Kruger [National Park] remains the epicentre for rhino killings in South Africa, with most rhinos being shot by poachers driving straight through the gates. Fundamental issues such as known internal collusion and access control for drop-off poaching remain a systematic threat.”

The National Prosecuting Authority also achieved a 100% conviction rate for 15 cases, convicting 23 rhino poachers. A number of high-profile cases are expected to be heard in court in the next few months and next year.

In the Kruger alone, 38 suspected rhino poachers were arrested between January and June, with 23 firearms confiscated. Outside the park, joint operations saw 57 suspects arrested and 18 firearms recovered.

Attempts to smuggle rhino horn valued at R115 million through OR Tambo International Airport was also thwarted by Sars custom officials, the Green Scorpions and the Hawks in the first two weeks of July.

The majority of poachers, according to Serfontein, “have been released by the presidential pardon process and the Covid parole”.