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The Environmentalist View - South Africa Sees 16% Drop in Rhino Poaching in 2024

The Environmentalist View - South Africa Sees 16% Drop in Rhino Poaching in 2024">The Environmentalist View - South Africa Sees 16% Drop in Rhino Poaching in 2024
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South Africa Sees 16% Drop in Rhino Poaching in 2024

South Africa saw a significant decline in rhino poaching in 2024, with the number of animals killed for their horns dropping by approximately 16% compared to the previous year. According to the country’s environment minister, Dion George, a total of 420 rhinos were poached last year, down from 499 in 2023. Despite this progress, concerns remain over poaching hotspots, particularly in Kruger National Park, where incidents have risen.

Home to the world’s largest population of near-threatened white rhinos and nearly half of Africa’s critically endangered black rhinos, South Africa continues to face relentless pressure from illegal wildlife trade. Rhino horns, made of keratin—the same protein found in human hair and nails—are highly valued in some East Asian markets for their use in traditional medicine and ornamental carvings. This demand has fueled poaching across the country, with both state-owned reserves and private conservation areas being targeted.

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