Photo by: Global Conservation Force
A recent report from South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, paints a sobering picture of the ongoing crisis facing rhinos. In just the first three months of 2025, 103 rhinos were killed, a devastating loss that underscores the relentless pressure from sophisticated, organized crime networks. Each rhino lost is not just a statistic, but a tragic step closer to the extinction of a species that has roamed the Earth for millions of years.
Although there has been a promising reduction in poaching in KwaZulu-Natal, dropping from 232 rhinos killed in 2024 to just 16 so far in 2025, this is no time for complacency. Poaching activity has simply shifted. South African National Parks saw a dramatic rise, with 65 rhinos killed in the first quarter of 2025 alone, up sharply from 88 across the whole of last year. These changes highlight how quickly and ruthlessly poaching syndicates adapt, exploiting weak points in protection and enforcement.
Most rhino species are endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. Of the five remaining species, the Javan, Sumatran, and Black rhinos are critically endangered, with some populations numbering fewer than 80 individuals. The Greater One-Horned rhino is vulnerable but recovering, while the Northern White rhino is functionally extinct, with only two females left.
Rhino poaching is far from a local problem. It is part of a larger web of transnational crime, intertwined with weapons trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering, and corruption. Tackling it requires more than just boots on the ground, it demands a global, coordinated response that targets the criminal networks at the top.
“South Africa continues to battle an unrelenting threat to its rhino populations—with 103 rhinos poached in just the first three months of 2025. The worst-hit areas, like Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal, are exactly where GCF has remained deeply embedded. We’ve stayed in the heat of the crisis zones, alongside key reserves and local partners, tracking pressure points, adapting to shifting threats, and standing side-by-side with the reserves and ranger teams carrying the heaviest burden,” Mike Veale, CEO & Founder of Global Conservation Force (GCF) told WAN.
”The trends we’re seeing now align with intel we’ve been tracking for over two years—syndicates pivoted post-mass dehorning in KZN and are hitting Kruger hard again. We matched that movement and fortified efforts accordingly. But amid the devastation, there are victories. Some rhino populations are rebounding. The Eastern Cape, where we work with nearly every ‘rhino’ reserve, has had zero poaching incidents this year thanks to coordinated, proactive protection,” continued Veale. “We can’t let high numbers freeze us. This is the moment to push harder. GCF, alongside dozens of committed organizations, is staying in the fight—right at the frontlines. Even a $5 donation can stretch 18x farther in South Africa. Every dollar matters. Every rhino matters. And every bit of support helps hold the line.”
Organizations like Global Conservation Force play a critical role in this fight. By supporting anti-poaching units, training rangers, and working with local communities, they help form the first line of defense for rhinos. Supporting such organizations, whether through donations, raising awareness, or advocating for stronger wildlife protection laws, is one of the most impactful ways individuals can help.
The loss of a rhino is a tragedy not only for conservationists, but for the planet as a whole. We cannot afford to look away. The survival of rhinos depends on all of us, standing with rangers, supporting cross-border investigations, and refusing to let these magnificent animals vanish on our watch.
Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline at 0800 205 005 or call South Africa Police Service at 10111
Please consider donating to Global Conservation Force today to help them continue their tireless work protecting wildlife from poachers HERE!
