Ecosystem under Threat: 259 Rhinos Poached in South Africa in H1 2022

The Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Ministry of South Africa released a report on rhino poached in South Africa in first six months of 2022. According to the report, total 259 rhino have been poached during the first half of 2022 in the country.

A total of 259 rhino have been poached for their horn in South Africa in the first six months of 2022.

Minister Barbara Creecy said: “Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of rhinos have been killed this year."

The number of rhino poached between January and June 2022 is 10 more than the 249 poached countrywide in the first six months of 2021. From January to end of June 2022, 82 rhino were poached for their horns in the Kruger National Park.

Rhinos have been around for millions of years and play a crucial role in their ecosystem. They're important grazers, consuming large amounts of vegetation, which helps shape the African landscape. This benefits other animals and keeps a healthy balance within the ecosystem.

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According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), rhino play an important role in their habitats and in countries like Namibia, rhinos are an important source of income from ecotourism.

The protection of black rhinos creates large blocks of land for conservation purposes. This benefits many other species, including elephants.

They play an important role in their habitats and in countries like Namibia, rhinos are an important source of income from ecotourism. The protection of black rhinos creates large blocks of land for conservation purposes. This benefits many other species, including elephants.

The demand for rhino horn remains a constant threat to rhino populations in African continent. Partnerships between the public and private sector remain key to combating wildlife trafficking, said Creecy.

In one instance, cooperation between the Hawks, Malaysia and Qatar authorities led to the arrest of another alleged rhino horn trafficker and his haul of rhino horn pieces at Doha Airport in Qatar, she said.

"This arrest demonstrates the success of country-to-country cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking at an international level," the Minister stated.

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