Rhino poaching decreases in 2024, But we still don't have the full picture. South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) have released updated full year rhino poaching statistics for 2024, and while it is good to see an overall decline of roughly 15%, an increase in poaching in the latter part of the year means we are currently in the midst of the greatest poaching spike since 2019. 420 rhinos were killed by poachers across South Africa in 2024, 79 less than were lost in 2023. Mass dehorning efforts in KwaZulu-Natal (the global epicentre of poaching) and the Kruger National Park yielded encouraging results part way through the year, however following these interventions poaching syndicates rapidly altered their approach, with many of last year’s victims being dehorned rhinos. This should serve as a significant reminder that dehorning is not a silver bullet, it can only be an effective deterrent when teamed with wider anti poaching and community efforts.