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26 June 2013

Media Release: Rhino poaching update

The majority, 58, have been arrested in the Kruger National Park.

SANParks has confirmed the arrest of three alleged poachers in the Lebombo Conservancy area of Mozambique following a joint operation involving rangers from South Africa and Mozambique early this morning. A .458 hunting rifle and poaching equipment were confiscated.

Since January 1, 2013, a total of 446 rhino have been poached across the country. The Kruger National Park has lost 280 rhino to poachers, while the number of rhino poached in North West has increased to 50.

A total of 45 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 38 in KwaZulu-Natal, 30 in Mpumalanga, 2 in the Eastern Cape and 1 in Gauteng.

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) 146 252 425 280
MNP (SANParks) 0 6 3 0
GP 15 9 1 1
LIM 52 74 59 45
MP 17 31 28 30
NW 57 21 77 50
EC 4 11 7 2
FS 3 4 0 0
KZN 38 34 66 38
WC 0 6 2 0
NC 1 0 0 0
TOTAL 333 448 668 446


Rhino poaching arrests statistics :

SA 2013 2012 2011 2010
KNP (SANParks) 58 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) 21 43 34 36
North West (NW) 11 32 21 2
Free State (FS) 0 6 0 0
KZN 27 20 4 25
Western Cape (WC) 0 0 0 2
Northern Cape (NC) 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 129 267 232 165


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

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs