Over 100 Rhinos Killed in South Africa's National Parks in Q1 2025

Over 100 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa during the first quarter of 2025, with the majority of incidents occurring within national parks despite heightened security and conservation efforts. This ongoing crisis threatens both black and white rhino populations, with the critically endangered black rhino numbering only about 2,000 in South Africa. The poaching is driven primarily by demand for rhino horn in Asian markets, where it is used as a status symbol and in traditional medicine, despite having no medicinal value. South African authorities have responded by intensifying law enforcement, making arrests, and introducing advanced surveillance tools like drones, but transnational criminal syndicates continue to exploit porous borders and high black-market prices. Conservationists and officials emphasize the urgent need for coordinated global action and intelligence-led interventions to prevent these iconic animals from sliding further toward extinction.