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Media Release: Update on rhino poaching
A total of 488 rhinos have been lost to illegal killings since the beginning of this year. The total number of arrests in connection with rhino poaching now stands at 214.
The Kruger National Park has lost 296 rhinos to poaching. The provinces hardest hit by rhino poaching include Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West, which collectively account for the loss of 158 rhinos.
Total number of rhinos killed this year:
| SA | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 146 | 252 | 296 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| GP | 15 | 9 | 1 |
| LIM | 52 | 74 | 49 |
| MP | 17 | 31 | 21 |
| NW | 57 | 21 | 52 |
| EC | 4 | 11 | 7 |
| FS | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| KZN | 38 | 34 | 57 |
| WC | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| NC | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 333 | 448 | 488 |
186 of the arrested individuals are at the level of poacher, 10 are receivers and 18 are couriers.
Number of arrests:
| SA | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 52 | 82 | 67 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gauteng (GP) | 26 | 16 | 10 |
| Limpopo (LIM) | 37 | 34 | 36 |
| Mpumalanga (MP) | 57 | 73 | 16 |
| North West (NW) | 21 | 21 | 2 |
| Eastern Cape (EC) | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Free State (FS) | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| KZN | 14 | 4 | 25 |
| Western Cape (WC) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Cape (NC) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 214 | 232 | 165 |
Members of the public are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005
For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871
Issued By
The Department of Environmental Affairs on 30 October 2012