South Africa’s rhino death toll has reached a staggering 430 since January 2012 — just 18 shy of the record-breaking total of 448 rhinos killed in all of 2011.
258 of the rhinos were massacred in Kruger National Park, while the provinces of Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West collectively account for 141 killings.
Although 205 people have been arrested for rhino crimes, apparently none are at the “kingpin” level.
At the moment, African rhino numbers are still on the increase, according to the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
Black rhino numbers are up to 4,840 (from 4,240 in 2007), and white rhino populations have increased to 20,150 (up from 17,500 in 2007).
However, IRF warns that “unless the rapid escalation in poaching in recent years can be halted, African rhino numbers could once again start to decline.”
Source: South African Government News Agency
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.