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A towel is used to cover the eyes of a tranquillised rhino before it is dehorned in an effort to deter poaching.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has officially launched the Rhino Renaissance Programme aimed at combating poaching.
This initiative seeks to develop a collaborative strategy between communities, conservation groups and country leaders in the fight against poaching.
Over R40 million will be invested on the Rhino Renaissance Programme.
The launch forms part of the G20 activities that are under way at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga.
SANParks Board Chairperson, Pam Yako says, “We link it because rhinos are a species of global significance and it is a partnership between South African National Parks and other stakeholders from the private sector, from the communities, and what we really want to do is to showcase our efforts that we are doing and how best we can with the help of everyone else and in partnership, build a whole movement that is going to be of support to the conservation of the species.”
Meanwhile, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George called for collaborative agreement that will empower countries to fight and combat illicit wildlife trafficking.
Leaders pledge their ongoing commitment to the global environment agenda and sustainability to address issues of climate change, biodiversity loss including illicit wildlife trade, desertification and pollution. #G20SouthAfrica #ReKaofela pic.twitter.com/Q8MRviz80U
— Environmentza (@environmentza) July 14, 2025
“We need to focus the international criminal syndicates that are actually driving the demand for the demand behind the scenes and what we are looking at, at our G20 that is on the go at the moment, is that if all goes to plan, we will have in our declaration, a collaborative agreement across the world that we will work together on fighting, combating illicit wild life trafficking. Of course, we’ve got agreements in place at the moment but I want to strengthen them because it is all good and well to have an agreement, but what about the action.” –
World Rhino Day | Poaching still a concern in South Africa and other parts of Africa
