Manhunt launched in E.Cape after poachers kill 3 rhinos

A manhunt for poachers got underway in the Eastern Cape on Friday after the carcases of three more rhinos were discovered.

The province has largely escaped the poaching onslaught with only a handful of cases reported in 2010.

The country lost 333 rhinos last year and just over 20 were poached in January 2011.

The three latest carcasses were found by rangers in the Dwesa Nature Reserve this week. All the animals’ horns had been removed.

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency spokesperson Sybert Liebenberg said they are angry and shocked.

“The guys have worked exceptionally hard to protect rhinos. We have been successful in that. We are continuing our efforts and we won’t stop until we have resolved this issue and protected our rhino,” he added.

He said they are working closely with the police and other agencies to track down the culprits.