Kruger's white rhino herd has collapsed by 81% since its 2011 peak
White rhino population estimates, Kruger National Park vs. Africa-wide total, 2011–2024 (number of individual animals)
420
white rhinos poached in South Africa in 2024
12,531
white rhinos counted in South Africa at end-2025 — the first meaningful recovery signal in years
Kruger National Park
Africa-wide total
Africa's southern white rhino population soared from near-extinction to a peak of ~21,000 by 2012, one of conservation's great triumphs — but Kruger, the species' historic stronghold, was gutted by poaching and now holds just ~2,000. South Africa's "Rhino Renaissance" campaign has set an audacious target of rebuilding Kruger's herd sixfold within a decade.
Daily Maverick · Source: IUCN AfRSG/TRAFFIC, 2025; SANParks Annual Report 2019/20; Africa Geographic, 2022
