By Sheree Bega
At least 76 white and black rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa's reserves, national parks and on private land last year, illustrating the sudden bloody assault on the country's rhino populations for their valuable horns - but the figure could be much higher.
In the latest known incidents in the Eastern Cape, a rhino was found shot dead at Kwantu Game Reserve on January 3, while another carcass was discovered at Shamwari game reserve on December 5.
In both cases, the horns - illicitly traded in Asia for use in traditional medicine - were left intact, which authorities believe suggests the poachers were disturbed before they could hack them off.
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Sonja Meintjes, the deputy director of biodiversity compliance at the department of environmental affairs and tourism, revealed this week that about 76 rhinos were illegally killed last year compared to 10 rhinos in 2007.
"The department cannot comment on the dramatic increase at the moment until investigations that are currently under way by the provincial conservation authorities and SANParks have been concluded.
"The various conservation authorities affected are working with the police to investigate these incidents and hope to make a breakthrough soon," she added.
Unconfirmed reports, though, suggest the number of rhinos killed in the past year is hovering around 100.
The department has imposed a moratorium, set to come into effect at the end of this month, which hopes to discourage the poaching of rhino in SA and stem the trade in individual rhino horn to ensure provincial authorities and SANParks maintain consistent protocols for dealing with the trade in rhino horn.
In the Kruger National Park, 37 rhinos were killed last year compared to 10 in 2007 and 17 in 2006.
It has launched a high-level investigation. "Park authorities are working with policing authorities and the investigation is still at a sensitive stage," said SANParks spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa.
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