Rhino are the most poached animals in the Kruger, resulting in their numbers dwindling rapidly. A total of 451 rhinos were poached in South Africa in 2021, 327 within government reserves and 124 on private property. Although there was a 24% decrease in rhino poaching compared with the pre-Covid-19 period in 2019, there has been an increase in poaching on private properties.

In 2021, 209 rhinos were poached for their horns in South Africa’s national parks, whereas in 2020, 247 were poached.

Besides poisoning and shooting of the rhinos, another rife form of poaching is snaring. In October last year, field and honorary rangers claim to have removed more than 3,000 snares that were placed across the park to trap the animals.