The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, officially launched the Rhino Renaissance Campaign at Skukuza Boma, in the Kruger National Park (KNP), positioning it as one of South Africa’s G20 Legacy Projects.
The campaign is a coordinated national response to the ongoing threat of rhino poaching, focused on rebuilding the white rhino population in KNP over the next decade.
George emphasised the urgency of the initiative, noting that South Africa is custodian to over 80% of the continent’s white rhinos. “As of 2024, the population has dropped to 14 389 nationwide. In Kruger, just over 2 000 remain,” he said, citing poaching as a major contributor to the decline.
The campaign, led by SANParks, brings together the Tracker Academy, Good Work Foundation, rangers, researchers, reserve managers, donors, tourism operators, international NGOs and local communities. It includes the annual training and deployment of 90 ‘Rhino Monitors’. These monitors will use drones, GPS collars and digital reporting systems to deliver real-time data to enforcement teams.
“This is not a government initiative alone. It is a partnership,” said George. “People are at the centre.”
The goal is to grow Kruger’s white rhino population from around 2 000 to 12 000 within 10 years through continuous monitoring, biological management such as targeted dehorning, DNA tagging, cross-border enforcement and sustained funding.
George stated that conservation efforts are linked to national security, economic development, and law enforcement.
He confirmed that the campaign aligns with South Africa’s National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking and the country’s Medium-Term Development Plan, incorporating multiple government departments and conservation partners.
Early progress was noted, with a 35-rhino decrease in poaching in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. June recorded the lowest poaching figures of the year, with 22 rhinos killed nationally.
“While any loss is too many, this decrease signals that our intensified enforcement efforts are starting to have an effect,” said George.
