News

Four rhino were poached in the Kruger National Park in the past week and two at a game reserve close to Polokwane in Limpopo Province.

In the past 48 hours five alleged poachers were arrested in Limpopo and one in the Kruger National Park (KNP). This means that a total of 40 alleged poachers, among them three alleged couriers, have been arrested since the beginning of the year.

On the evening of 18 February one suspected poacher was arrested by rangers in the KNP. A rifle, silencer and ammunition were recovered.

Last night, the SANParks investigation unit, with the support of the South African Police Service, arrested five suspected rhino poachers in Limpopo who were believed to have been en route to the KNP. They were found in possession of a hunting rifle, silencer and ammunition.

The Kruger National Park remains hardest hit by poaching, with 70 rhinos having been killed for their horns since January 1. Eleven rhino have been poached in North West, 10 in KwaZulu-Natal, seven in Limpopo and four in Mpumalanga.

The slight drop in the number of rhino being killed per week may be attributed to the implementation of the turnaround strategy aimed at eliminating poaching by SANParks.

In 2012, South Africa was losing up to three rhino a week. This year the number of rhino poached has decreased to 2 per week.

This is an indication that the turnaround strategy is starting to work.

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:

Rhino poaching arrests statistics :

For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871, DEA Spokesperson
Wanda Mkutshulwa on 012 426 5201 or 082 908 2692, SANParks Spokesperson

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs