KwaZulu-Natal: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife initiated a rhino dehorning programme in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, that is has, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund South Africa (WWF South Africa), initiated a rhino dehorning programme in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP) on 08 April 2024. KwaZulu-Natal lost a total of 325 rhinos in 2023 to poaching, with a significant 307 of those illegally killed within Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park.

“It is with a heavy heart that the organisation has decided to dehorn. Rhino dehorning goes against the grain of what we stand for, but the persistent threat posed by poachers has necessitated more drastic measures to protect our rhinos”, said Ezemvelo CEO Sihle Mkhize.

According to the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), a total of 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa in 2023. 406 of those were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms. This was an increase of 51 rhinos in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022.

Source: TravelComments.com Official Blog