Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has achieved a historic milestone with zero rhino poaching incidents recorded in KwaZulu-Natal provincial parks in January 2026. KZN Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Musa Zondi said this demonstrated that the province is "not merely participating in conservation success, but living in it," marks a decade-best. The trend is in line with recent poaching stats. According to stats released in February by Environment Minister Willie Aucamp, there was 97 rhinos poached in KZN in 2025, a decline from 232 killed in 2024. MEC Zondi highlighted that the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park's intensive dehorning initiatives have resulted in this significant reduction in poaching activities. The positive trajectory comes as the entity actively sheds its past reputation for instability and corruption to embrace a new era.