Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit by poachers, having lost 149 rhinos since the beginning of this year. Limpopo has lost 36 rhinos to illegal poaching; KwaZulu-Natal has lost 25 and the North West province 24 rhinos.
Of the 170 arrests made so far in 2012, 147 of the arrested were poachers, 10 were receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven were exporters.
Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 12 June 2012):
- Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 149 rhinos poached
- Mapungubwe National Park (SANParks) - 3 rhinos poached
- Gauteng - 0 rhinos poached
- Limpopo - 36 rhinos poached
- Mpumalanga - 9 rhinos poached
- North-West Province - 24 rhinos poached
- Eastern Cape - 3 rhinos poached
- Free State - 0 rhinos poached
- KwaZulu Natal - 26 rhinos poached
- Western Cape - 1 rhinos poached
- Northern Cap - 0 rhinos poached
This is so appalling it's almost unbelieveable. It's only six month onto the year and already 251 have been killed. At this rate, how long will it be until there are no rhino left? The poachers are bad enough, but they buyers are the ones that need to be put away as well. Too bad that there will probably always be a demand for rhino horn for many reasons. Unfortunately, I see no stop to this slaughter of a most majestic animal. I know people are trying, but all I can think of is more manpower. Especially in Kruger National Park because it's so big. Appalling, just appalling!
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