Malelane Gate to Close Temporarily due to Planned March by Unemployed Youth
Access to the Malelane Gate in the south of the Kruger National Park will be closed temporarily on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 due to a planned march b...
Media Release: Latest statistics on rhino poaching
The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit by poachers, having lost 147 rhinos since the beginning of this year. Limpopo has lost 34 rhinos to illegal killings; KwaZulu-Natal has lost 25 and the North West 24 rhinos.
Of the 161 arrests made, 138 of the arrested were poachers, 10 were receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven were exporters.
Total number of rhinos killed this year:
| SA | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 146 | 252 | 147 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| GP | 15 | 9 | 0 |
| LIM | 52 | 74 | 34 |
| MP | 17 | 31 | 8 |
| NW | 57 | 21 | 24 |
| EC | 4 | 11 | 3 |
| FS | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| KZN | 38 | 34 | 25 |
| WC | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| NC | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 333 | 448 | 245 |
Number of arrests:
| SA | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 39 | 82 | 67 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gauteng (GP) | 20 | 16 | 10 |
| Limpopo (LIM) | 25 | 34 | 36 |
| Mpumalanga (MP) | 44 | 73 | 16 |
| North West (NW) | 16 | 21 | 2 |
| Eastern Cape (EC) | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Free State (FS) | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| KZN | 10 | 4 | 25 |
| Western Cape (WC) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Cape (NC) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 161 | 232 | 165 |
South Africans are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005.
Issued By
The Department of Environmental Affairs
Media queries:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871