Latest rhino poaching statistics
2012-06-12 11:21
The controversial peripheral development zone (PDZ) for the Kruger National Park has been approved, Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Monday, SAPA reports.
The PDZ is aimed at creating a conservation corridor between the park and Mozambique's Greater Lebombo Conservancy.
Molewa said the corridor would strengthen attempts to curb rhino poaching through the establishment of a joint task force.
"The purpose of the PDZ is to use the conservation corridor to facilitate cross-border tourism, to stimulate investment into the corridor, as well as into neighbouring communities in Mozambique," she said.
The approval of the PDZ comes after sharp criticism from conservationists, who believe the park should not be commercialised.
Shamwari Reserve opens the "Ian Player Rhino Awareness Center"
While these plans are being made for SANParks' most famous reserve, a smaller private reserve is making plans of its own to educate people about rino conservation.
Shamwari Game Reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, proudly opened ‘The Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre' Thursday, 7 June 2012, which has been initiated as part of the Forever Wild campaign and due to the rhino devastation that South Africa is presently facing.
A cheque for R182, 800.00 was presented by the Shamwari Group, as a result of the Forever Wild campaign, to the Wilderness Foundation. The money will be used by the Wilderness Foundation to raise public awareness of the rhino poaching crisis including information boards, displays, leaflets, radio and media campaigns, to support law enforcement agencies with equipment required to enhance their capabilities, for logistical and operational support for conservation agencies responsible for rhino security and for facilitation of rhino security workshops.
Earlier this year, Shamwari Group joined forces with the Wilderness Foundation to create the Forever Wild campaign which offers a reduced rate at any of the Shamwari Group properties, when guests donate R100.00 or more per person to the Forever Wild campaign and Shamwari then donates R500.00 for each booking.
At the launch Dr Ian Player, founder of the Wilderness Foundation, and who was the guest of honour, presented a short talk expressing his heartfelt life passion for the conservation of rhinos. , Shamwari Game Reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, proudly opened ‘The Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre' Thursday, 7 June 2012, which has been initiated as part of the Forever Wild campaign and due to the rhino devastation that South Africa is presently facing.
The Wilderness Foundation has created 9 unique rhino displays, which was unveiled at the launch and each has been designed for the purpose of educating guests on rhino conservation and the poaching issues facing South Africa and South Africans. Each display has a powerful message along with photographs, statistics and general facts to emphasise the effect poaching has on conservation, the country, tourism and indeed future generations.
Rhino poaching numbers for 2012
The latest statistics indicate that the number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of this year now stands at 245, with the number of arrests at 161, SANParks announced in a statement this morning.
The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit by poachers, having lost 147 rhinos since the beginning of this year. Limpopo has lost 34 rhinos to illegal killings; KwaZulu-Natal has lost 25 and the North West 24 rhinos.
Of the 161 arrests made, 138 of the arrested were poachers, 10 were receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven were exporters.
Total number of rhinos killed this year:
| SA | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| KNP (SANParks) | 146 | 252 | 147 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| GP | 15 | 9 | 0 |
| LIM | 52 | 74 | 34 |
| MP | 17 | 31 | 8 |
| NW | 57 | 21 | 24 |
| EC | 4 | 11 | 3 |
| FS | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| KZN | 38 | 34 | 25 |
| WC | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| NC | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 333 | 448 | 245 |
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