26 March 2011, 01:35
Alan BunnRhino deaths continue to mount
Rhino deaths continue to mountJohannesburg - South Africa has already lost 71 rhinos to poaching this year, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Monday.
"This figure encompasses fresh and old carcasses which have been found in the various parks and nature reserves countrywide," said SANParks CEO David Mabunda.
Most of the poaching, 46 rhinos, occurred in the Kruger National Park.
Rhino poaching figures are on the increase with 333 rhinos slaughtered in 2010 compared to 122 killed in 2009 and 83 killed in 2008.
Mabunda said 64 suspected rhino poachers had already been arrested this year.
The Associated Press reported in February that so far this year nine poachers had been killed by park rangers.
The rangers were acting in self-defence to heavily armed poachers, according to Bandile Mkhize, chief executive of KwaZulu-Natal parks and a former top manager at South Africa's premier Kruger park.
- SAPA
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~ Alan
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