Source: World Wildlife Fund
White River World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomes the news today of a 33 percent reduction in the number of rhinos lost to poaching in South Africa in 2020 and ongoing decline in the number of rhinos lost annually to poaching over the last six years.
However, WWF is very aware that the apparent reprise provided by lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 in 2020 was only a temporary pause and that the pressure on rhino populations, particularly in Kruger National Park, remains very high.
At the same time, it is critical to note the decline of almost 70 percent in the number of rhinos in the Kruger National Park over the last ten years due to a combination of drought and poaching, as reflected in the recent SANParks 2019/20 annual report.
White River World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomes the news today of a 33 percent reduction in the number of rhinos lost to poaching in South Africa in 2020 and ongoing decline in the number of rhinos lost annually to poaching over the last six years.
Three hundred and ninety-four rhinos were poached for their horn in South Africa during 2020, marking the sixth consecutive year showing a decline in poaching. In 2019, 594 rhinos were poached for their horn in South Africa.
However, WWF is very aware that the apparent reprise provided by lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 in 2020 was only a temporary pause and that the pressure on rhino populations, particularly in Kruger National Park, remains very high.