Kruger Park bears brunt as 199 rhinos slain

6975 Phila the black rhino who survived two separate attacks by rhino poachers has been living at the Johannesburg Zoo for three months. Parktown north, Johannesburg. 250111 - Picture: Jennifer Bruce

6975 Phila the black rhino who survived two separate attacks by rhino poachers has been living at the Johannesburg Zoo for three months. Parktown north, Johannesburg. 250111 - Picture: Jennifer Bruce

Published May 1, 2012

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South Africa had lost 199 rhinos to poaching since the beginning of the year, the department of environmental affairs said on Monday.

“The latest statistics indicate that the Kruger National Park is still the most targeted by poachers, with the park having lost a total of 119 rhinos from the beginning of this year,” said department spokesman Albi Modise.

Targeted provinces included Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal, which collectively accounted for 73 rhinos killed.

Thus far, 122 arrests had been made, of which 108 were poachers and 14 were either couriers or buyers.

In 2011, 252 rhinos were poached in the Kruger Park and 448 nationally. –

Sapa

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