57 rhino poached in SA in 2013 so far

To date 57 rhino have been killed by poachers in South Africa, with 42 of these in the Kruger National Park in January alone. So far this year six rhino have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal, six in North West, two in Limpopo and one in Mpumalanga.

Of the 18 suspected poachers arrested since 1 January 2013, 11 were arrested in the Kruger National Park and three were fatally wounded. Three suspected poachers have been arrested in Limpopo following a tip-off related to their activities in the KNP and two in North West.

Besides the arrest of six suspected poachers, the recovery of seven rhino horns, heavy calibre hunting rifles, ammunition and poaching equipment during three operations in the KNP on January 18 and 19, six suspected poachers have been arrested by South African and Mozambican authorities since Friday (January 25), and two fatally wounded. All were armed.

On Friday night anti-poaching operatives in the Houtbosrand section of the KNP were involved in a shootout with two armed suspected poachers at a freshly killed rhino. During the contact one of the suspects was fatally wounded. The other managed to escape back to Mozambique. A heavy calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and the rhino's horns were recovered.

Arrests by Mozambican authorities

An intelligence-driven operation on the same day resulted in the arrest of two more suspected rhino poachers by the Mozambican authorities inside Mozambique, adjacent to Houtbosrand. The group were allegedly on their way to the KNP when they were arrested. A heavy calibre rifle and ammunition were recovered.

In a separate joint operation on Sunday (January 27), there was another shootout with three armed suspected rhino poachers near the Nwanedzi section of the KNP, during which one of the poachers was fatally wounded and two arrested. A heavy calibre hunting rifle with a silencer and ammunition were recovered.

Yesterday (January 30) joint forces were again involved in a shootout with armed suspected poachers in the Houtbosrand area. One of the suspects was wounded and arrested, while his two accomplices managed to escape back to Mozambique. A heavy calibre hunting rifle and ammunition were recovered.

SANParks CEO, Dr David Mabunda, said despite increased incursions from Mozambique, in particularly the Limpopo Transfrontier Park region in the north of Kruger National Park, anti-poaching operations were starting to yield results.

"We bled in December, but as of January 1 there has been a change in strategy from a conservation management system to greater law enforcement, and this is working. Our operations are more militaristic. The number of poachers arrested has increased inside and outside the park."

Despite the floods that have left large parts of the KNP inaccessible to vehicles and rangers on foot, and totally destroyed the camp at Shingwedzi, the area was still being patrolled with the assistance of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has congratulated SANParks anti-poaching units, the police and the SANDF for their recent successes, commending them for the arrest of two alleged poachers who were remanded in the White River Magistrate's Court this week. They are expected to bring a bail application on 6 February 2013.

South Africans are urged to report any information or tip offs that they may have in relation to rhino poaching to the anonymous tip-off lines +27 (0)800 205 005, +27 (0)8600 10111 or CrimeLine on 32211.