35 rhinos poached in Kruger National Park since beginning of 2025 - SANParks

JOHANNESBURG - Thirty-five rhinos have been poached in the Kruger National Park in 2025 alone. 

This is despite interventions, such as dehorning, to deter poachers. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) management said the transnational syndicates targeting the animals were relentless in their pursuit of rhino horn. 

SANParks special operations regional ranger, Bruce Leslie: "And even though we've had a huge effort in dehorning our rhino, in Kruger National Park and even in KZN [KwaZulu-Natal] wildlife, clearly there's a switch to 'Where are the rhino? There's still a value, we're going to hunt them regardless'. And there's clearly still a market for them."