Latest news with #RhinoRenaissanceCampaign
IOL News
16-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
South Africa launches ambitious campaign to save its dwindling rhino population
The Rhino Renaissance Campaign launch is one of South Africa's G20 Legacy Projects. It aims to rebuild the white rhino population in Kruger National Park (KNP) from just over 2,000 to 12,000 within the next decade. Image: File South Africa is the custodian of more than 80% of the continent's white rhino population, which is at risk from poaching and a dwindling population. Dr Dion George, MP and minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), remarked on Tuesday at the Rhino Renaissance Campaign launch. The campaign, one of South Africa's G20 Legacy Projects, aims to rebuild the white rhino population in the Kruger National Park (KNP) from just over 2,000 to 12,000 within the next decade. Annual statistics revealed that 195 rhinos had been poached across South Africa by June 2025, a reduction of 35 compared to the same period in 2024. In KNP, 11 rhinos were killed in both May and June, down from 17 in January and 30 in February 2025. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 'Once nearly extinct, the white rhino population stood at fewer than 100 individuals in the early 20th century. But South Africa acted. Through protected areas, community partnerships, and the hard work of rangers and conservationists, the species was brought back from the brink. By 2010, there were more than 20,000 white rhinos,' George said. The KNP is home to over 12,000 rhinos — an unmatched feat in global conservation. But since then, the tide has turned. 'As of 2024, the population has dropped to 14,389 nationwide. In Kruger, just over 2,000 remain. A significant part of the issue involves poaching and the trafficking of rhino horn, driven by organised crime and profit,' George warned. He said that the campaign led by the South African National Parks (SANParks) is a direct response to poaching and illegal rhino horn trade. 'It brings together SANParks' conservation authority with the Tracker Academy, part of the Peace Parks Foundation, whose work in training local trackers in ancestral skills is redefining what it means to protect wildlife,' George said. He also mentioned the Good Work Foundation, a non-profit transforming education for thousands of learners in the villages around Kruger through digital learning, conservation coding, and storytelling. He said that 90 rhino monitors will be trained and deployed annually across KNP. 'The Rhino Renaissance Campaign is a vital part of this effort. It supports our vision of a Fair Industry for Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Rhinos — a future where these species are not only protected but thrive alongside the people who live among them,' George said. Other plans include: African Parks has relocated 2,000 rhinos to safe havens across the country. Munyawana Conservancy and others are growing populations through rewilding. Cross-border work is under way in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and across the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Safe havens have been identified in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. Collaboration between the government and private wildlife owners in our Integrated Wildlife Zones has been enhanced. Pam Yako, SANParks Board chairperson, said rhinos are a species of global significance, and the campaign was a partnership with various stakeholders. 'We want to showcase our efforts and how best we can, with the help of everyone else, build a whole movement for the conservation of the species,' she said.
The South African
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
New strategy to help save Kruger National Park's white rhinos
Government has launched a strategy that seeks to rebuild the Kruger National Park's white rhino population from just over 2 000 to 12 000 within the next decade by using technology. Government aims to monitor rhino herds daily using drones, GPS collars, and digital reporting systems to provide real-time data to enforcement teams. 'Starting this year, 90 Rhino Monitors will be trained and deployed annually across Kruger National Park. They are not just protecting rhino. They are protecting livelihoods, family legacies, and the possibility of green jobs for a generation to come,' Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Dr Dion George said. The Minister made these remarks during the official launch of the Rhino Renaissance Campaign at the Kruger National Park, which is grounded on 24/7 rhino tracking; biological management such as targeted dehorning; DNA tagging and genetic research; enforcement cooperation across provincial, national, and regional levels and, critically, resource mobilisation to sustain operations over the long term. With South Africa currently hosting the Group Twenty (G20) Presidency, this campaign has been adopted as a G20 Legacy Project to rally global support, both diplomatic and financial, to scale this work. South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, which runs to 30 November 2025, under the theme: 'Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability'. 'This work does not stand alone. We are fighting wildlife crime on every front. Our National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking is anchored in the Medium-Term Development Plan, the country's roadmap for the next five years. 'This strategy brings together key government departments – including my department, Police, Justice, Border Management, Intelligence, [the] South African National Parks (SANParks) and the provincial conservation entities – in a united, multidisciplinary response. It also builds strong partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and communities on the ground,' George explained. Fighting wildlife crime is one of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's six core priorities. 'At its heart is a commitment to a fair and sustainable future – one where our iconic wildlife supports livelihoods, uplifts communities, and strengthens our national identity. 'The Rhino Renaissance Campaign is a vital part of this effort. It supports our vision of a fair industry for lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos – a future where these species are not only protected but thrive alongside the people who live among them. 'No country or sector can tackle this threat alone. South Africa is building strong enforcement networks across borders and finalising agreements with rhino horn destination countries,' the Minister said. Government is engaging partners such as Interpol, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours to strengthen intelligence-sharing and cross-border cooperation. South Africa's response goes beyond law enforcement. It includes financial intelligence, anti-corruption efforts, and international diplomacy- because wildlife crime is deeply embedded in global criminal networks. As of the end of June, 195 rhinos had been poached across South Africa this year – a reduction of 35 compared to the same period in 2024. 'While any loss is too many, this decrease signals that our intensified enforcement efforts are starting to have an effect. June recorded the lowest monthly poaching figures so far this year, with 22 rhinos killed nationwide. Here in the Kruger, which is still a primary target for poachers, we lost 11 rhinos in both May and June, down from 17 in January and 30 in February. 'These numbers are a stark reminder that the threat remains real and unrelenting. But they also show that progress is possible. Our rangers, enforcement teams, and intelligence units continue to work tirelessly on the front lines to protect our wildlife and hold the line,' the Minister said. Through rhino dehorning, South Africa removes the reasons rhinos are being killed in the first place. 'Dehorning does not harm the animal. It saves its life. It buys us time – to restore numbers, upgrade security, and disrupt demand,' he explained. The country is already seeing green shoots which include the relocation of 2 000 rhinos from African Parks to safe havens across the country; Munyawana Conservancy and others are growing populations through rewilding; cross-border work is underway in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and across the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Safe havens have been identified in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana and collaboration between government and private wildlife owners in the Integrated Wildlife Zones has been enhanced. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
11-07-2025
- General
- The South African
South Africa to host second G20 environment and climate meeting
South Africa, through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), will host the second technical meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) next week. The meeting will be held from 14-18 July at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. The ECSWG will facilitate high-level discussions on various critical topics, including biodiversity and conservation, climate change, land degradation, desertification and drought, chemicals and waste management, air quality, and ocean and coastal issues. According to the department, this meeting will build on the progress made at the first virtual ECSWG meeting held in March and will focus on deepening collaboration within the priorities of the G20 ECSWG. The DFFE is coordinating the ECSWG, ensuring alignment with South Africa's policy priorities and global sustainability commitments. The key activities focused on promoting global cooperation for environmental sustainability. This includes leading three ECSWG meetings, integrating sustainability discussions within G20 Working Groups, and collaborating with stakeholders and member states to achieve actionable results in climate finance, biodiversity, pollution management, and ocean governance. The meeting at the Kruger National Park forms part of a series of three ECSWG engagements hosted by South Africa during its G20 Presidency. The meeting will bring together over 250 delegates, including representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, international organisations, government officials, and the media. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will launch G20 legacy projects at the second technical meeting of the ECSWG. The launch of the G20 legacy project, Rhino Renaissance Campaign, will demonstrate conservation efforts in fighting wildlife crime. This will include a live demonstration of the dehorning of rhino process to be administered by the world-acclaimed South African National Parks Veterinary Services in the presence of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and a selected group of delegates. The leaders will also embark on the G20 tree planting activity, a symbolic tree planting ceremony of 20 trees, one for each G20 member, outside the Nombolo Mdluli Conference Centre. 'This initiative forms part of South Africa's National Greening Programme, which aims to plant 10 million trees over five years. It is a bold step toward addressing the Presidential imperatives on greening,' the statement read. The leaders will also announce the school essay winners. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
