Massive rhino horn bust raises poaching concerns
An anti-poaching unit in KZN believes rhino poaching will escalate again when lockdown restrictions are eased.
Customs officials found 18 rhino horns - estimated to be worth more than R50 million hidden in a parcel at O R Tambo International yesterday.
SARS says they were packaged for courier and labelled as cartridges. Sniffer dogs alerted officials to the consignment which was destined for destined for Malaysia.
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No arrests have been made. The Hawks are investigating.
This is the fourth rhino horn bust at the airport since July last year.
KZN had 93 poaching incidents last year - SA National Parks dealt with almost 250.
George Shacks who's with North Coast Anti Poaching is urging government to focus more on anti-poaching measures.
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"In general, in KZN the amount of rhinos that are being taken out is not good, and I don't think enough focus is being done on micro-chipping.
"Every rhino should be de-horned and should have a microchip. It's not nice to say, but I think that is the only way to go."
