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18 July 2013

Media Release: Rhino poaching update

The Kruger National Park has borne the brunt of rhino poaching since the start of 2013. A total of 300 rhino have been poached in the Park since January 1. A total of 53 rhino have been poached in North West, 52 in Limpopo, 43 in KwaZulu-Natal, 35 in Mpumalanga, three in Gauteng and two in the Eastern Cape.

Of the 142 alleged poachers arrested, 62 have been caught in the Kruger National Park and 30 in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 27 suspected poachers have been arrested in Limpopo, 11 in North West province, nine in Mpumalanga and three in Gauteng. Five people have been charged with being couriers.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Rhino poaching statistics:

SA 2010 2011 2012 2013
KNP (SANParks) 146 252 425 300
MNP (SANParks) 0 6 3 0
GP 15 9 1 3
LIM 52 74 59 52
MP 17 31 28 35
NW 57 21 77 53
EC 4 11 7 2
FS 3 4 0 0
KZN 38 34 66 43
WC 0 6 2 0
NC 1 0 0 0
TOTAL 333 448 668 488


Rhino poaching arrests statistics
:

SA 2013 2012 2011 2010
KNP (SANParks) 62 73 82 67
MNP (SANParks) 0 0 0 0
Gauteng (GP) 3 26 16 10
Mpumalanga (MP) 9 66 73 16
Eastern Cape (EC) 0 0 2 7
Limpopo (LIM) 27 43 34 36
North West (NW) 11 32 21 2
Free State (FS) 0 6 0 0
KZN 30 20 4 25
Western Cape (WC) 0 0 0 2
Northern Cape (NC) 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 142 267 232 165


For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs