Since the start of the poaching epidemic in 2008 South Africa has lost just under 1400 rhinos – a figure that, despite so much effort, increases daily.
Sadly though, the low risk high reward situation seems to be attracting more and more new criminals along the lower poaching levels.
MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
02 OCTOBER 2012
The Latest rhino poaching statistics indicate that a total of 430 rhinos have been lost to illegal killings since the beginning of this year, with the total number of arrests at 205.
The Kruger National Park has lost 258 rhinos to poaching. Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 141 rhinos.
Rhino poaching statistics:
|
SA |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
KNP (SANParks) |
146 |
252 |
258 |
|
MNP (SANParks) |
0 |
6 |
3 |
|
GP |
15 |
9 |
1 |
|
LIM |
52 |
74 |
48 |
|
MP |
17 |
31 |
18 |
|
NW |
57 |
21 |
43 |
|
EC |
4 |
11 |
7 |
|
FS |
3 |
4 |
0 |
|
KZN |
38 |
34 |
50 |
|
WC |
0 |
6 |
2 |
|
NC |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
333 |
448 |
430 |
177 of the arrested individuals are at the level of poacher, 10 are receivers and 18 are couriers.Rhino poaching arrests statistics:
|
South Africa – Arrests |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
KNP |
49 |
82 |
67 |
|
MNP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Gauteng (GP) |
26 |
16 |
10 |
|
Mpumalanga (MP) |
57 |
73 |
16 |
|
Eastern Cape (EC) |
0 |
2 |
7 |
|
Limpopo (LP) |
34 |
34 |
36 |
|
North West (NW) |
21 |
21 |
2 |
|
Free State (FS) |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) |
11 |
4 |
25 |
|
Western Cape (WC) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Northern Cape (NC) |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
205 |
232 |
165 |
Members of the public are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON 02 OCTOBER 2012
