A police raid on a Johannesburg flat in which their suspect was cornered on Tuesday night has led to the discovery of 10 rhino horns and boxes containing millions in cash.
In the largest asset seizure ever linked to rhino poaching in South Africa, the state yesterday froze R55-million worth of assets, most belonging to suspected rhino kingpin Dawid Groenewald.
Anti-poaching systems and initiatives already in place at the Pilanesberg National Park were furthered recently thanks to a donation of the latest communications technology.
New norms and standards for marking rhino horn and trophy hunting will be implemented immediately, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Monday.
Government will start targeting foreigners who come to South Africa for rhino trophy hunting, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Wednesday.
The latest hope for saving South Africa's rhinos from poachers is state-of-the-art United States military surveillance equipment used in the wars waged in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The rhino is being hunted into extinction and could disappear forever unless we act now. Shocking new statistics show more than 440 rhinos were brutally killed last year in South Africa alone - a massive increase on five years ago when just 13 had their horns hacked off.
Rhino poaching is not being resolved, in fact it is escalating apace this year and now the inside jobs are becoming clear. It seems there are some of those who are paid to protect these ancient creatures that are in fact part of the poaching network. Are we fighting a losing battle here?
It is a violent act to kill a defenseless, non-offending animal like a rhino. However we will never see the end to such violence if we do not deal with human poverty that exists within ourselves and on the edge of wildlife reserves.
Johannesburg - Three rhino poachers were sentenced to 25 years each by the Phalaborwa Regional Court on Tuesday, according to an SA National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson.
The police have busted a 40 year old man in Pretoria North on Tuesday after 3 rhino horns were found in his possession. No further arrests have yet been made in connection with the 11 de-horned rhino carcasses which were found in the Kruger National Park last week.
Last year 448 rhino deaths were recorded in South Africa – it was the highest number ever. With rhino poaching figures on the rise, will 2012 prove to deliver even higher digits?
Two weeks into the New Year and already 11 rhinos have been found dead and dehorned in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
South African National Parks (SANParks) revealed that yet another 8 rhinos were found shot and dehorned in the Kruger National Park (KNP) following an intensified patrol in various parts of the National Park on Tuesday, 10 January.
We can never do enough for our rhinos, who are in danger of extinction. In 2009 there was a dramatic increase in rhino poaching, with 135 animals killed. In 2010, a staggering 333 animals were brutally slaughtered for their horns.
With rhinos on the brink of extinction, it is no surprise that amazing conservation efforts are attempted in Africa to save them. Enough so to be noticed by an international panel of judges. Raoul du Toit, International Rhino Foundation's African Rhino Programme Coordinator, has received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize (Africa).
Last week three more rhinos died in the Kruger National Park. The demand for illegal rhino horn this time also claimed the life of a calf. Gunshots were heard and rangers went to investigate. Tragically, it was too late: The poachers were already sawing the horns off one of the rhinos.
Maties PAW (Promoting Animal Welfare) hosted a nail painting event on Friday 8 April in Stellenbosch to raise awareness and get students to join hands in the fight against rhino poaching. More than 300 rhinos have been killed this year, which means one is poached every 21 hours!
South Africa is in the midst of a terrestrial war over rhino horn poaching, a war that has spiked in recent years to frightening heights.
