633 rhino poached so far in 2012

2012-12-19 14:57

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Government considers legalising rhino trade
2012-12-12 12:16
Rhino poached

A senior government leader says legalising the rhino horn trade could help reduce the high rates of rhino poaching. Watch.WATCH
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Johannesburg - A total of 633 rhino have so far been killed for their horns this year, the environmental affairs department said on Wednesday.

"The Kruger National Park has lost 395 rhino to poaching. The North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 197 rhino," it said in a statement.

In 2011, 252 rhino were killed for their horns in the Kruger National Park. The number was at 74 in Limpopo, North West was at 21 and KwaZulu-Natal was at 34.

A total of 266 people were arrested in connection with rhino poaching this year.

The department's spokesperson Albi Modise said 237 people taken into custody were poachers, 18 were couriers and 11 were receivers.

- SAPA

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