As we mark World Rhino Day on 22 September, South Africa’s rhinos remain under threat, with 229 poached in the first six months of 2024. This is a slight drop from 231 during the same period in 2023.
Encouragingly, May and June saw significant reductions in poaching, largely due to dehorning efforts in KwaZulu-Natal’s Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where over 1000 rhinos have been dehorned since April this year. South Africa’s rhino population reached 16 056 by the end of 2023 – 1 032 more than in 2021 – despite continued poaching.
“Rangers across South Africa, supported by K9 anti-poaching units, have been instrumental in tracking and apprehending poachers,” notes Dr. Guy Fyvie, Senior Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Manyoni Private Game Reserve’s K9 Unit in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the many K9 Units around the country sponsored by Hill’s, successfully apprehended six poachers in 2023, with no rhinos lost to poaching on the reserve.
The significance of these efforts is highlighted through Hill’s Making CONTACT series. “It recognises not only the remarkable role these dogs play in protecting our natural heritage but also their incredible handlers who, through their commitment to working with the dogs, are making a real difference in the fight against poaching,” Dr. Fyvie adds.
He adds that there are substantial costs involved with training, feeding, and looking after the health of the K9 unit dogs and Hill’s has proudly been sponsoring the units with food, equipment, and healthcare for the last decade.
As we celebrate World Rhino Day 2024, let’s reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that future generations inherit a world where rhinos continue to thrive.
For more information visit the Hill’s website