Johannesburg - Since the beginning of this year, 251 rhinos have been poached across South Africa, the department of environmental affairs said on Wednesday.
Spokesman Albie Modise said 170 people had been arrested in connection with the poaching.
Of these, 147 were poachers, 10 were receivers or couriers, six were buyers and seven were exporters.
He said the North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo were the hardest hit provinces with 86 rhinos poached.
“The Kruger National Park has lost a total of 149 rhinos since the beginning of this year.”
Figures released last Tuesday showed that 245 rhino had been killed since the beginning of the year, meaning that six rhino had been poached in the past seven days.
The department said last year that 448 rhinos were killed through illegal hunting. - Sapa