Rhino poaching drops 52% in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Rhino poaching has fallen sharply in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, but officials say continued anti-poaching efforts are needed to protect wildlife.
Rhino poaching in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has dropped by more than half so far this year, 52% compared to the same period last year.
However, authorities have warned that the threat to the animals remains.
In its response to a Democratic Alliance (DA) question on rhino poaching syndicates and interventions in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs said the decline in poaching in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park could be attributed to annual dehorning, intelligence-led policing, ranger deployments and the use of technology.
Ten rhino carcasses found in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The department has warned that danger continues to lurk.
It's revealed that 10 rhino carcasses were found in the park between January and the end of May.
It says there were nearly 100 incidents of suspected poacher activity, poacher sightings, incursions and reports of gunshots recorded since the beginning of the year.
The DA's Hannah Lidgett says while the decline in poaching is encouraging, more needs to be done to strengthen anti-poaching efforts.
" We also call on the MEC to please provide details on the plan to secure funding for anti-poaching initiatives, the status of integrity-related referrals, uh, present, uh, targets for drones, ranger capacity, and intelligence operations," said Lidgett.
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