The number of rhinos killed in the first half of this year showed a slight reduction compared to the same period last year.
In 2022 the number of rhinos poached between January and June was 259. This was slightly more than the number poached this year, when 231 rhinos were killed.
About 15 000 of the world’s 27 000 rhinos can be found in South Africa.
Most of the animals were poached in KwaZulu-Natal, with 143 killed there. There were 42 rhinos killed in the Kruger National Park, with the remainder being killed in private reserves in other parts of the country.
The number of rhinos killed in KwaZulu-Natal is a serious cause for concern, as fewer than 40 rhinos were poached in the province two years ago.