The number of rhinos poached for their horns in South Africa since the beginning of the year has increased to 249, says the Department of Environmental Affairs.
In a statement today, 25 April, the department said the Kruger National Park remained the hardest hit with the number of rhinos poached since last week increasing from 167 to 180. A total of 21 rhino were poached in the North West, 18 in KwaZulu-Natal, 17 in Limpopo and 13 in Mpumalanga.
Two alleged rhino poachers were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal in the past week, bringing the number of alleged poachers arrested countrywide to 78.
“This brings to five the number of alleged middlemen arrested so far this year. A total of 73 people are facing poaching related charges and some additional charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Of these 36 were arrested in the Kruger National Park, 17 in Limpopo, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, eight in North West and one in Mpumalanga,” the department revealed.
Last week, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, welcomed the recent arrests and the prosecution of individuals linked to rhino poaching. She said the handing down of stiffer sentences to poachers and the seizure of assets of poaching accused should serve as a message to potential poachers that everything possible will be done to ensure the protection of South Africa’s rhino population.
South Africans can report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines: 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
News courtesy of SAnews.gov.za
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