Environmental Affairs concerned about rhino killings
The Department of Environmental Affairs has expressed its concern about the ongoing scourge of rhino poaching. To date, a total of 135 rhinos have been killed this year for the illegal trade in rhino horn.
However, the department is encouraged by the increasing number of arrests and convictions made so far to counter rhino poaching. Since January 2012, a total of 89 suspects have been arrested and others have already been sentenced and are serving prison terms.
Five officials arrested
The Kruger National Park (KNP) continues to be the biggest victim of the senseless rhino killing. A suspected poacher was recently shot dead in the Kruger National Park and two suspects were arrested. In addition, a fifth KNP official stationed at Pretoriuskop has been arrested.
SANParks, in conjunction with SAPS are still working to determine if links exist between other internal suspects in relation to the two rhino killed at Pretoriuskop last month. A total of 75 rhinos have been lost to poaching in the Kruger National Park this year.
The department urges South Africans to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrest and prevention of illegal killing to 0800 205 005.
| Latest rhino poaching figures | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | KNP (SANParks) | MNP (SANParks) | GP | LIM | MP | NW | EC | FS | KZN | WC | NC | Total |
| 2010 | 146 | 0 | 15 | 52 | 17 | 57 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 333 |
| 2011 | 252 | 6 | 9 | 74 | 31 | 21 | 11 | 4 | 34 | 6 | 0 | 448 |
| 2012 | 75 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 135 |
| Number of arrests | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa - Arrests | KNP | MNP | GP | MP | EC | LP | NW | FS | KZN | WC | NC | Total |
| 2012 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 89 |
| 2011 | 82 | 0 | 16 | 73 | 2 | 34 | 21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 232 |
| 2010 | 67 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 7 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 165 |
