Smart drones and sensors boost anti-poaching efforts at South Africa’s historic rhino reserve
High-tech tools such as drones, camera networks and smart fencing are being deployed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to curb rhino poaching, contributing to a notable decline in illegal killings.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, one of Africa's oldest rhino sanctuaries, is now employing a suite of advanced technologies to protect the southern white rhino. Drones provide an aerial "eye in the sky," capable of night-time surveillance, while a network of cameras and roughly 20 km of smart fencing relay intrusion alerts to an operations centre. Ground teams continue traditional patrols, using tracking dogs, helicopters and GPS tags placed on rhinos during yearly dehorning procedures coordinated by manager Dumisani Zwane.
Dehorning reduces the lure for poachers and enables ongoing monitoring of individual animals. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, poaching incidents fell sharply from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025, reflecting the impact of these technological and operational upgrades.
Why it matters
Advanced monitoring is helping reverse poaching trends in a key rhino stronghold, safeguarding a species on the brink.
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