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Media Release: Update on rhino poaching
The Kruger National Park has lost 362 rhinos to poaching. The North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 186 rhinos.
Total number of rhinos killed this year:
| SA | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 146 | 252 | 362 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| GP | 15 | 9 | 1 |
| LIM | 52 | 74 | 52 |
| MP | 17 | 31 | 27 |
| NW | 57 | 21 | 75 |
| EC | 4 | 11 | 7 |
| FS | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| KZN | 38 | 34 | 59 |
| WC | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| NC | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 333 | 448 | 588 |
Of the 246 arrested individuals, 217 are at the level of poacher, 18 are couriers and 11 are receivers.
Number of arrests:
| SA | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 61 | 82 | 67 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gauteng (GP) | 26 | 16 | 10 |
| Limpopo (LIM) | 39 | 34 | 36 |
| Mpumalanga (MP) | 66 | 73 | 16 |
| North West (NW) | 32 | 21 | 2 |
| Eastern Cape (EC) | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Free State (FS) | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| KZN | 15 | 4 | 25 |
| Western Cape (WC) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Cape (NC) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 246 | 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 27 November 2012