259 rhinos were poached in SA between January and June 2022. Photo: Pixabay.
259 rhinos poached in first half of 2022 – this province is the new hotspot
259 rhinos were poached between January and June 2022 – 10 more than the 249 animals killed in the first half of 2021.
259 rhinos were poached in SA between January and June 2022. Photo: Pixabay.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) revealed that 259 rhinos have been poached in the first six months of 2022, on Monday, 1 August.
RHINO POACHING WORSENS
Barbara Creecy’s Ministry said 10 more rhinos were poached between January and June 2022 than the 249 poached countrywide during the same period last year.
During the first half of 2022, 82 out of 259 rhinos were poached for their horns in Kruger National Park. According to the department, 210 rhinos were poached on state property while private parks recorded 49 losses.
“Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of rhinos have been killed this year.
“This makes it all the more important for national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching,” said Creecy.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was the hardest hit province with a loss of 133 rhinos. For comparison, 33 rhinos were killed in the first half of 2021.
“The demand for rhino horn remains a constant threat to our rhino populations as crime syndicates continue to operate within our borders,” said the minister.
Between January and June, 69 people were arrested for crimes related to rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking – 13 of those were alleged poachers nabbed in Kruger National Park.
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