S. Africa reviews anti-rhino poaching strategy

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-1-31 10:07:57

The South African National Strategy for the Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations is being reviewed as rhino poaching continues unabated, authorities said on Thursday.

The review is part of a plethora of measures being undertaken to ensure that all steps taken to address the scourge of rhino poaching in the country are relevant and effective, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) said.

Through the review, the strategy is expected to improve so as to better assist in addressing emerging issues and potential gaps to further strengthen interventions being implemented to curb the poaching of rhino, the department said.

The department also requests NGOs, non-profit organizations (NPO), fund raisers, rhino conservation and anti-poaching service providers, and donors involved in rhino-related projects to provide details relating to their initiatives by Feb. 7 this year.

This comes as the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa has increased to 86 since the beginning of 2014. Meanwhile, 21 poachers have been arrested in the past month.

The highest number of rhinos poached - 63- were killed for their horns in the Kruger National Park, one of Africa's biggest game reserves.

Last year, poachers slaughtered a record number of 1,004 rhinos, compared with 668 poached in the previous year.

South Africa's rhino population will be close to extinction by 2026 if no effective measures were taken, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Water Edna Molewa warned earlier.

South Africa, which is home to over 73 percent of the worlds' rhino population, bears the brunt of rhino poaching.

Crime syndicates are believed to be behind growing rhino poaching, fueled by demand for rhino horns which are said to cure all diseases, notably cancer, although there is no scientific evidence to prove this.

Posted in: Africa

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