Poaching, the illegal hunting and sometimes killing of animals, has always been a serious threat to conservation efforts. Animals like rhinos, elephants, tigers and lions are often the target of poachers looking to make money through exotic pet sales and traditional medicine practices. While habitat destruction does contribute most to the strain on many animal species, the illegal trading and selling of wildlife has gained popularity as e-commerce continues to grow. 

In South Africa, this illegal practice has finally decreased to the point where native rhino species can finally thrive. Rhinos are often hunted in South Africa because their horns are used for traditional medicine in Asia. In just the first six months of 2020, South African rhino poaching decreased by 53% - a goal that the South African Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has been working toward for the past five years. Only 166 rhinos have been poached for their horns in the first six months of 2020. This is a significant drop when compared to the 316 rhinos that were poached in the first six months of 2019.  

Barbara Creecy, South Africa’s minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, said, “After a decade of implementing various strategies, and campaigning against ever-increasing rhino poaching by local poachers recruited and managed by crime syndicates, efforts are paying off. We have been able to arrest the escalation of rhino losses.” The ministry credits this success in part to COVID-19 lockdown measures as they kept poachers from actively hunting. 

Additionally, the lockdown measures have made poachers much easier to spot. From January to June, 38 suspected rhino poachers have been arrested in Kruger National Park and 23 firearms have been confiscated. These arrests also led to historic convictions as the ministry reports that from January to June, the National Prosecuting Authority managed to obtain convictions in 15 cases marking a conviction rate of 100%. To guarantee that these poachers will not return to poaching, they were given lengthy sentences. Coordinated efforts with the South African Police Service, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the “Hawks”) and the Department of Justice have curtailed the selling and purchasing of poached rhino horns. 

South Africa’s success came just in time to celebrate World Ranger Day on July 31, a day dedicated to rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The minister paid tribute to these brave men and women who have risked their health and safety, both by stopping poachers and risking possible exposure to COVID-19. “Our rangers have remained at the forefront of the battle against poaching, despite the national lockdown, contributing to the decrease in poaching. In this time, rangers have had to face not only the threats posed by poachers, but they, and their families, have also had to deal with the danger of contracting COVID-19,”  said the minister. It is apparent that their bravery has paid off as the rhino population of South Africa is now at a decreased risk of population decline.

Renee is currently an English student at The University of Georgia. She lives in Ellijay, Georgia, a small mountain town in the middle of Appalachia. A passionate writer, she is inspired often by her hikes along the Appalachian trail and her efforts to fight for equality across all spectrums. She hopes to further her passion as a writer into a flourishing career that positively impacts others.