South Africa has reported a significant victory against rhino poaching in 2025, with national figures reflecting a 16% decline. Leading the charge is KwaZulu-Natal, where poaching losses at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) dwindled by 68%. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo) welcomed the encouraging 2025 national rhino poaching statistics, crediting Minister Willie Aucamp’s statement on anti-poaching progress. Rhino losses in the HiP notably dropped by 68% (from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025), reflecting a province-wide decrease from 232 to 97 total losses. The entity said this reflects the most turnaround recorded in South Africa and positions KZN as a leading example of what is possible through decisive leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustained operational excellence. Ezemvelo started 2026 strongly, recording zero rhino poaching incidents across the province in January - a first in a decade milestone. This unprecedented achievement affirms that sustained, coordinated efforts against wildlife crime are succeeding. Additionally, while the 2024 dehorning programme was an early deterrent, Ezemvelo’s analysis confirms that the success in 2025 resulted from a far broader, integrated security architecture. The coordinated implementation of multiple measures, not a single intervention, enabled these results.