Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) has reported a major success in its ongoing battle against rhino poaching, recording a 52% year-to-date reduction in poaching mortalities for the first five months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Despite the decline, authorities have warned that the threat to the animals remains.
KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC, Reverend Musa Zondi revealed the progress and outlined the multi-faceted strategy driving these improvements.
Zondi highlighted that the May shootout between police and suspected rhino poachers, where firearms were recovered, highlights the persistent threat facing HiP and its field rangers.
“Despite ongoing conservation efforts, poaching pressure on the park remains significant,” Zondi said.
Multi-pronged strategy
“Dehorning has formed part of a broader suite of interventions that have contributed to a substantial reduction in rhino poaching at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Comparative data on rhino poaching mortalities illustrates this positive trend,” the MEC said.
“Dehorning operations commenced on April 1, 2024. Year-to-date mortalities for January 1 to May 31, 2026, show a 52% reduction compared to the same period in 2025.”
He added that the Ezemvelo Rhino Guardianship Strategy monitors outcomes through a multi-faceted approach that integrates intelligence-led policing, ranger deployment, and technology.
Through collaboration with key stakeholders, notably the SAPS via various joint forums, the strategy ensures coordinated, intelligence-driven investigations, targeted prevention operations, and special investigation projects.
“Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo/EKZNW) would appreciate dedicated budgetary support to implement proven anti-poaching interventions, including rhino dehorning, integrity testing, and the utilisation of drone technology.”
Community-based interventions
The MEC explained that Edtea and Ezemvelo’s community-based programmes aim to prevent poaching recruitment by raising awareness, promoting alternative livelihoods, and building partnerships.
Key initiatives, including environmental education, skills training, and sustainable resource support, highlight the socio-economic benefits of conservation. The projects aim to reduce human-wildlife conflict and deter illegal activity, with success monitored via data-driven tracking.
Zondi stated that all rhino poaching incidents and associated poaching-effort data are systematically logged in the national CMORE database (a platform that facilitates interagency, interdepartmental, and community awareness).
This enables detailed tracking of trends and the correlation between community interventions and changes in poaching pressure.
It also offers education, jobs, and conservation benefits, and establishes intelligence networks that provide early warnings of potential incursions.
Zondi explained that the substantial reductions in poaching mortalities observed at HiP reflect the positive contribution of this holistic strategy, of which community engagement forms a critical component.
Staff, contractor and service provider testing
A recent audit revealed a total of 166 tests conducted, resulting in 24 indications of deception — a 15% rate of concern. Zondi noted that Ezemvelo works closely with the SAPS to investigate any potential internal leaks or security breaches.
