Poachers in South Africa have killed more than 100 rhinos in the first three months of this year, most of them inside national parks, highlighting the ongoing battle to protect one of the world’s most endangered species.
South African Environment Minister Dion George announced the alarming figures on Monday, revealing that of the 103 rhinos killed between January 1 and March 31, 65 were poached within national parks. “An average of more than one rhino killed per day is a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife,” George said.
Home to an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 rhinos, South Africa boasts the largest rhino population in the world. This includes both black and white rhinos. Black rhinos, found only in the wild in Africa, are critically endangered, with around 6,400 left globally, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Approximately 2,000 of these are in South Africa.
In recent years, South African authorities have intensified efforts against criminal syndicates believed to be behind much of the country’s rhino poaching. Last year, the environment ministry celebrated the conviction of a notorious poaching “kingpin” from Mozambique. Simon Ernesto Valoi was sentenced to 27 years in prison by a Mozambique court for orchestrating rhino poaching operations in South Africa’s vast Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique.
The continued poaching of rhinos poses a severe threat to the survival of the species. Conservationists are calling for increased international cooperation and stronger measures to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
