Poachers kill more than 250 rhinos in first six months
Minister of Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy says a total of 259 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the first six months of 2022.
Creecy released the latest poaching statistics on Monday.
A total of 210 rhinos were killed on government-owned properties, while 49 were poached in privately-owned parks.
The hardest hit province was KwaZulu-Natal, which lost 133 rhinos to poachers.
"The demand for rhino horn remains a constant threat to our rhino populations as crime syndicates continue to operate within our borders,” said Creecy.
“Between January and June, 69 people were arrested in connection with rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. Of these, 13 alleged poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park.
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"As a result of the ongoing work of integrated enforcement teams at OR Tambo International Airport, four alleged rhino horn traffickers were arrested between January and June this year for trying to smuggle 56 pieces of rhino horn out of the country.
“In one instance, cooperation between the Hawks, Malaysia and Qatar authorities led to the arrest of another alleged rhino horn trafficker and his haul of rhino horn pieces at Doha Airport in Qatar.
"This arrest demonstrates the success of country-to-country cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking at an international level," added Creecy.
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