According to AI, Kruger National Park supports a population of about 3500 white rhinos and 250 black rhinos, which is a significant portion of the world's rhino population. Unfortunately, Kruger's rhinos are heavily targeted by poachers. Since I visited the park in 2015, the population of rhinos has declined significantly due to poaching. In 2025, a rhino was killed every 50 hours (on-average). Sick!
Black Rhinoceros
Different strategies have been suggested or employed to prevent poaching, but authorities still seem to be losing the battle. Sadly, there is a huge black market for rhino horns in Asia. Rhino poaching is a nasty criminal enterprise. Rhino Renaissance is a national effort to restore Kruger's rhino population to 12,000 in the next decade. I sure hope it's successful.
Cautionary sign
Getting a drink of water
The rhinoceros is a magnificent animal, among the world's largest land animals. African rhinos have two horns. Unlike other animals' horns, their horns are made out of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and fingernails. The horns grow throughout their lifetime and have many uses. They grow back if they are cut. The poaching of rhinos for their horns is beyond cruel.
African rhinos have two horns.
At the watering hole
During our stay at Kruger National Park, we saw rhinos on several occasions. There was a rhino trail near our compound.
A poached rhino killed for its horns.
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Post created 14 July 2026
Post created 14 July 2026
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