Poachers killed record number of rhinos in South Africa in 2014!

According to South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, poachers killed a total of 1,215 rhinos for their horns in South Africa in 2014 - a 21% increase over the 1004 animals poached in 2013. A majority of the rhino, 827, were killed in Kruger National Park. A total of 386 alleged rhino poachers, couriers and poaching syndicate members have been arrested in 2014.

Minister Molewa also confirmed that South Africa has already lost 49 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2015. The country is currently home to approximately 20,000 rhinos – more than 80% of the global population.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.