Rhino poaching figures rise to 245
Image by: AFP PHOTO/STRINGER
South Africa has lost 245 rhinos to illegal hunting activities since the beginning of the year, the department of environmental affairs says.
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Environmental spokesman Albi Modise said 161 people had been arrested in connection with illegal rhino horns.
The latest statistics indicate the Kruger National Park has lost 147 rhinos, which accounts for more than half of the total rhino killings that have taken place this year.
Limpopo province suffered 34 rhino killings, while the North West lost 24 and KwaZulu-Natal, 25.
In Mpumalanga eight rhinos were illegally hunted. The Eastern Cape lost three and the Western Cape lost one.
Modise said of the 161 people arrested, 138 were poachers, 10 were receivers or couriers of illegal rhino horn, six more were couriers or buyers and seven were exporters.
The department urged all South Africans to report incidents of rhino poaching.
Any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and the prevention of illegal rhino killings could be left at 0800-205-005.
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