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

Orrin Singh

18 February 2025 | 7:52

SANParks management said the transnational syndicates targeting the animals are relentless in their pursuit of rhino horn.

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."

This was a critically endangered black bull rhino. SANParks management says the last time they had a major spike in poaching, such as this, was post Covid-19.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 18, 2025