24 RHINO CARCASSES FOUND IN SOUTH AFRICA IN PAST TWO WEEKS

Wed 15 December 2021:

Since December 1, a total of 24 rhino carcasses have been discovered across South Africa, according to a series of tweets from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment late Tuesday.

The DFFE has noted posts on social media in recent days stating that 23 #rhino have been #poached in South Africa within a short period of time.

— Environmentza (@environmentza) December 14, 2021

According to the department, seven carcasses were discovered in Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, seven in Mpumalanga province, six in KwaZulu-Natal province, and four in Western Cape province.

The department condemned the continued poaching of rhinos for their horns, revealing that nine poachers had been apprehended since the beginning of December.

South Africa is home to roughly 80% of the world’s rhinos. There are currently fewer than 30,000 African rhinos left, with Kruger National Park having the largest population.

Environment Minister Barbara Creecy stated in July that 249 rhinos were slaughtered in the country for their horns in the first six months of 2021.

Creecy attributed the increase in poaching to the country’s relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

In the first half of 2020, 166 rhinos were killed, while 318 rhinos were poached in the first six months of 2019, when there were no lockdown restrictions.

According to the minister, the Kruger National Park had the highest number of poaching incidents, with 132 rhinos poached and one elephant killed.

In the last six months, she said, a number of arrests have been made and those responsible have been prosecuted.

Creecy added that numerous rhino horn seizures have occurred since January as a result of South Africa’s cohesive partnership with countries in Southeast Asia, where the horns are in high demand.

Horns are used for traditional medicine or as a status symbol in some Asian countries.

According to the environment department, an update on the total number of rhinos killed for their horns in 2021 will be provided early in 2022.

“Members of the public are encouraged to assist with any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of poachers by calling 10111 or the environmental crime hotline on 0800 205 005,” the department said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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