South Africa is celebrating a major conservation win as rhino poaching rates plummeted by nearly 50% this May and June compared to 2023! Officials reported 21 rhinos lost in May and 22 in June 2024 – down from 42 and 34 during the same months last year.
The Secret Weapon? Rhino 'Haircuts'
Forestry Minister Dion George credits innovative dehorning programs in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where over 1,000 rhinos have been safely dehorned since April. 'While heartbreaking, removing horns makes rhinos less attractive targets,' experts explain.
Why This Matters
With only about 16,000 white rhinos left worldwide, this decline offers hope for reversing decades of wildlife crime. Conservationists are now pushing to expand dehorning programs while maintaining strong anti-poaching patrols.
Officials reported 21 rhinos lost in May and 22 in June 2024 – down from 42 and 34 during the same months last year.
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