The number of rhinos killed in South Africa has soared to the horrifying figure of 633 since the start of 2012, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Of the total, 395 rhinos were massacred in South Africa’s flagship tourist destination, Kruger National Park. The North West province accounted for 77 killings, while Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal each lost 60 rhinos.
266 people have been arrested for rhino crimes in South Africa. The highest numbers of arrests were made in Kruger National Park (72) and Mpumalanga province (66).
South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs asks members of the public to report tip-offs and incidents to 0800 205 005.
See also:
- Report Confirms Wildlife Trafficking Threatens Global Security
- Report: Rhino Killings Driven by Private Stockpiling and Trade Speculation
- Report: Asian, African Countries Failing to Control Illegal Wildlife Trade
- The Lion Bone’s Connected to the … Rhino Horn?
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.