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Rhino poaching has declined by almost 18% in the Kruger National Park, according to Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, adding that the national park had been hardest hit.
Between January and the end of August this year, 458 poached rhino carcasses were found in the KNP, compared with 557 last year.
The report revealed that the poaching rate, or the number of carcasses as a percentage of the number of live rhinos, had also declined, down 15.5% from 9.6% in 2015 to 7.6% this year.
However, the number of rhino poached has increased in KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Northern Cape, compared with the same period in 2015. Molewa said, despite the increases, there was still a down trend in the overall number of rhino poached.
The Minister also highlighted an increase in elephant poaching. “It is also of concern that we have begun experiencing an increase in elephant poaching,” she added: “Since January 36 elephants have been poached in the Kruger National Park.”
Source: tourismupdate.co.za
