Rhino Poaching Falls in South Africa, but Not Everywhere

South Africa saw a 16 % drop in rhino killings last year, the second straight time it has fallen that much. The environment ministry said 352 rhinos were killed in 2025, down from 420 the year before and 499 two years earlier. The country holds almost half of Africa’s endangered black rhinos and the world’s biggest group of white rhinos. Their horns, made of a protein like that in human hair and nails, are highly valued for medicine and jewelry in some parts of East Asia.Despite the overall decline, a sharp increase occurred in Kruger National Park, South Africa’s most famous wildlife reserve. The park recorded 175 rhino deaths last year, up from 88 the previous year, a rise that shows how hard it is to patrol remote areas. In contrast, Hluhluwe‑iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu‑Natal saw a steep fall in poaching. The number of rhinos killed dropped from 198 in 2024 to just 63 in 2025, indicating that targeted protection can be effective. The trend highlights that while national numbers improve, local hotspots still need focused effort to protect these iconic animals.