EnvironmentFeatured
Rhino elephant poaching declines in South Africa
332 people were arrested for both rhino poaching and trafficking last year
The number of rhinos killed for their horns in South Africa reduced for a fifth consecutive year as authorities tighten their grip on poachers.
A total of 594 rhinos were killed across South Africa in 2019 compared to 769 in 2018, bringing the number down by 175, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy.
She added that the decline can be attributed to several strategies implemented by the government, including the use of technology that helps in information collection and sharing among law enforcement authorities regarding activities of poachers.
Creecy also stated that improved capabilities to react to poaching incidents such as better situational awareness, the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donors and good regional cooperation helped to curb poaching incidents.
African rhinos killed daily for their horns in South Africa. Rhino horns are in high demand in some Asian countries, where they are used for traditional medicines and as a status symbol for the wealthy.
Currently, there are less than 30,000 African rhinos remaining, with the biggest population in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where the highest incidents of poaching occur.
In 2019, a total of 327 rhinos were killed by poachers in the park alone. 31 elephants killed in 2019. Meanwhile, 31 elephants were killed in South Africa in 2019, according to the environment ministry.
From January to December 2019, 178 alleged poachers were arrested in Kruger National Park. At a national level, 332 arrests were affected in respect of both rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking .A total of 85 firearms were recovered during the year.
