Africa Wild

Update on Rhino Poaching

Date: 30th April 2013

The number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of the year now stands at 273. The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching, with the number of rhinos poached since last week increasing from 180 to 201.

Since the beginning of the year, the North West province has had a total of 21 rhinos poached while 19 have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal, 19 in Limpopo and 13 in Mpumalanga. The number of alleged poachers arrested countrywide has increased to 83, with five arrests having been made in the Kruger National Park since last week.

A total of 41 alleged poachers have been arrested in the Kruger National Park since January. In the past week, three suspected rhino poachers were arrested in the Tshokwane Section of the Park after killing a black rhino. One of the poachers died in a local hospital after being wounded in a shootout with rangers. The rhino horns were confiscated from the alleged poachers, as well as a 458 hunting rifle with a silencer, ammunition and poaching related equipment.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, an alleged poacher was fatally wounded by rangers near the Langtoon dam during a shootout. Two firearms, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered.

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

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

This is what I was afraid of:

273

I heard on the news today that SANParks admit that the Moz border(fence) is a problem, but I can't seem to find the story in print.

Anyone?

Will check.

mouseinthehouse wrote:Just got a final reminder on the SP forum for asking people to send Dr Mabunda an email if they are concerned about poaching. Not allowed to ask people to join a cause that is not promoted or okayed by SP.

He is/was quite approachable re. emails, mith!

Not sure regarding who is allowed to do what according to SANPARKS re. "Joining a cause"?

That ship has long sailed, as people are perhaps understandably seeking other avenues to address the problem?

273 What the heck is going on Surely there should be a bigger outcry Please can someone wake up

Could not find anything either bud.
Maybe tomorrow

I must reiterate that the Moz. connection is very significant indeed, but not the only problem. The problem lies far deeper in some instances, and Moz. should not always become a convenient scapegoat. Personally I think that has become the case after the catastrophes of 2012 and 2011, combined with a huge media orgy by SANParks last year, and even bigger this year already.

Moz. is certainly a major port of exit for horns, internationally, at the moment. That was not always the case.

Just too convenient.

Now how can a court case against two Vietnam Nationals be dropped because we could not get an interpereter? (0)

Two guys that we fed in jail for two years.