Daily SumUp

While targeted interventions are showing progress in some areas, South Africa continues to grapple with the scourge of rhino poaching, with 103 rhinos killed across the country in the first three months of 2025.

This alarming figure was revealed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, who described the losses as “a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife.”

According to statistics released by the Department, between January and March 2025, most of the 103 rhinos poached were killed within national parks managed by SANParks. KwaZulu-Natal recorded 16 cases, followed by Limpopo with 10, Free State with 5, North West with 4, and Mpumalanga with 3.

However, no poaching was reported in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape or Gauteng.