Cape town: Government has launched a strategy that seeks to rebuild the Kruger National Park’s white rhino population from just over 2,000 to 12,000 within the next decade by using technology. The initiative aims to monitor rhino herds daily using drones, GPS collars, and digital reporting systems to provide real-time data to enforcement teams.
According to South African Government News Agency, the strategy will see 90 Rhino Monitors trained and deployed annually across Kruger National Park, starting this year. These monitors are tasked with not only protecting rhinos but also safeguarding livelihoods, family legacies, and the potential for green jobs for future generations, said Dr. Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. He made these remarks at the official launch of the Rhino Renaissance Campaign, which focuses on 24/7 rhino tracking, targeted dehorning, DNA tagging, genetic research, and enforcement cooperation across multiple levels.
With South Africa holding the G20 Presidency, the campaign has been adopted as a G20 Legacy Project to garner global support. The presidency runs from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”
The strategy is part of a broader effort to combat wildlife crime, one of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s six core priorities. George emphasized the commitment to a future where iconic wildlife supports livelihoods, uplifts communities, and enhances national identity. The Rhino Renaissance Campaign forms a crucial element of this vision, supporting a fair industry for lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos.
Fighting wildlife crime involves strong enforcement networks and agreements with rhino horn destination countries. South Africa is partnering with organizations such as Interpol, CITES, INCB, and SADC to strengthen intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation. The response to wildlife crime extends beyond law enforcement to include financial intelligence and anti-corruption efforts.
As of the end of June, 195 rhinos had been poached across South Africa, a reduction of 35 compared to the same period in 2024. This decrease signals that intensified enforcement efforts are starting to yield results, with June recording the lowest monthly poaching figures this year. However, the threat remains significant, emphasized George.
Rhino dehorning has been instrumental in reducing poaching, as it removes the primary reason rhinos are targeted. This practice does not harm the animals and provides time to restore populations and disrupt demand. Positive developments include the relocation of 2,000 rhinos to safe havens and growing populations through rewilding efforts in conservancies.