There has been a noticeable spike in incidents in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Free State
A SANParks investigator uses a metal detector to search for the poacher's bullet at a rhino poachinbg scene in Kruger National Park.Rhino in SA’s parks are under pressure once more as poaching incidents rise in the wake of easing Covid-19 movement restrictions.
Of the total numbers of rhinos poached, 132 were killed in the Kruger National Park, compared to 90 in 2020 and 191 in 2019. There had been a noticeable increase in poaching activity in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Free State, he added. Rhino poaching incidents in private reserves over the same reporting periods accounted for 30% this year, 9% in 2020 and 15% in 2019.
Arrests and prosecution rates were improving, as the combined efforts of SA’s law enforcement agencies and other authorities began to bear fruit.the Hawks, SANParks and the “Green Scorpions” along with customs officials, SANDF, provincial park authorities and the National Prosecuting Authority.