The Department of Environmental Affairs says 790 animals have now been slaughtered for their horns since January. Killings have surged in recent years to feed black market demand in Asia. Conservationists are warning that the current rate at which rhinos are being poached in South Africa is becoming critical, with the number of animals killed set to exceed births, leading to an overall population decline. Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique, has already lost 476 rhinos this year. In a shocking contrast, there were just 13 reported incidents across the whole country in 2007. Rhino horn, the same matter as human finger nails, is a status symbol in nations like China and Vietnam where it is also believed to have medicinal properties.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 07:05:28 +0000
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