Rhino Crime: Global Experts Unite in South Africa Meeting

In a significant global effort to combat rhino poaching, experts from various sectors convened in Pretoria, South Africa, last week for the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force. This gathering, the first of its kind in over a decade, highlighted the urgent need to address the escalating threat of illegal wildlife trade, particularly in rhinos, whose populations continue to decline despite ongoing conservation efforts. The Task Force serves as a collaborative platform, uniting officials, enforcement agencies, and wildlife advocates from rhino range states, as well as transit and demand countries, to develop targeted strategies aimed at dismantling the organized crime networks responsible for this illicit trade. Participants are focusing on actionable solutions that enhance enforcement measures and improve cooperation across borders, which is essential for protecting these iconic species from the clutches of poachers.

Dr. Dion George, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, underscored the importance of the Task Force’s findings in his closing remarks, emphasizing the need for rapid implementation of the recommended strategies. His call to action resonated with attendees, as he noted the sophisticated nature of criminal syndicates operating in the wildlife trade and the necessity for agile, cooperative responses. The meeting fostered the sharing of advanced technologies and methodologies, such as DNA forensic tools, to bolster intelligence gathering and improve investigative coordination. As stakeholders gear up for the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties in November, there is a shared sense of urgency and hope that the groundwork laid during this meeting will lead to substantive changes in the fight against rhino poaching and the broader illegal wildlife trade.

At Save the Rhino International, we acknowledge the vital progress made during the Task Force meeting and the collaborative spirit that characterized the discussions. While the poaching crisis represents a long-term challenge requiring persistent efforts, the momentum generated by these expert collaborations is crucial for advancing rhino protection initiatives. As we approach the CITES Conference, ongoing updates and developments will be essential to monitor, highlighting the collective actions being taken to address illegal rhino horn trade. Our commitment to this cause remains steadfast, and we anticipate seeing concrete outcomes from the strategies formulated at the Task Force meeting, which will ideally translate into enhanced protection measures for rhinos across the globe.

Summary

On June 2, 2025, global experts convened in Pretoria, South Africa for the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force meeting, the first since 2013, aiming to address the ongoing threat of rhino poaching and trafficking. The gathering highlighted the importance of targeting the leadership of transnational organized crime networks, promoting coordinated international law enforcement responses, and sharing intelligence among rhino range states and transit countries. South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, underscored the critical need for practical solutions to enhance collaboration against sophisticated criminal syndicates. The Task Force focused on leveraging modern technologies and methods, such as DNA analysis, to improve enforcement capabilities on the ground. As preparations begin for the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties in November, Save the Rhino International emphasized the importance of sustained international efforts to combat illegal rhino horn trade and protect these endangered species.