South Africa reports 103 rhinos poached in early 2025

In the first three months of 2025, South Africa lost 103 rhinos to poaching, a figure that matches the country’s alarming average from the previous year. The majority of these incidents occurred within national parks managed by SANParks, with KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga also reporting cases, while four provinces saw no poaching during this period, signaling some success for targeted interventions. Authorities highlighted the dedication of rangers and law enforcement, whose efforts contributed to 15 arrests and the finalization of five court cases related to rhino poaching. The government is intensifying collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority and the police to strengthen opposition to bail for repeat and high-risk offenders. Efforts include sharing best-practice affidavits with investigators and seeking additional funding to support prosecution processes. Despite some progress, officials stress the urgent need for sustained and heightened anti-poaching measures to address ongoing threats to rhino populations.