The majority of the world’s rhinos live in South Africa. Despite backbreaking work from a dedicated and passionate SANParks team, Kruger National Park rhino populations have continued to plummet due to poaching. Recently published research estimates that there are about 2,607 white rhinos remaining in the Kruger National Park, while black rhinos are estimated to number just 202. This represents a population decline of 75% for white rhinos since 2011 (from 10,621) and 51% for black rhino since 2013 (from 415). Their horns are in demand in Asian countries as traditional medicine and status symbols of wealth.


“Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger National Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal (nicknamed the Garden Province),” said Barbara Creecy, the country’s minister of Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs.


In recent years, the work of rangers has changed from a general focus on the conservation of species to a more militant way of operating against well-armed criminal poaching gangs entering national parks and other conservation areas. Rangers often spend


50 Jan/Feb 2024


weeks away from home, living in the bush in an effort to protect the country’s natural environment from plunder.


A global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), completed an assessment in 2019 of the threats posed to South Africa, and the efforts being made to fight these crimes. During this process, the contribution of wildlife trafficking was found to pose a medium-to-high risk to the country.


SANParks’ air wing has three Airbus H125 helicopters and four pilots based in the Kruger National Park to help fight poaching. Leaders hope to increase to four helicopters in the near future.


The Airbus H125, aka Squirrel, is respected around the world after decades of proven ability. The H125 (previously designated the AS350 B3e) outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for performance, versatility, low maintenance, and low acquisition costs, while also excelling in high-and-hot extreme environments. It is a member of the Airbus Ecureuil family, which has accumulated 38 million flight hours worldwide.


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