The Department of Environment says it is concerned with the sudden increase in reports of rhino poaching on private property.

Minister Barbara Creecy says it seems that syndicates are now targeting private farms and reserves to circumvent the increased security measures being implemented on Government-managed reserves.

Creecy says of the 421 rhino poached in South Africa in 2021, 124 animals were killed on private land.

In 2021 there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities: 77 within the Kruger National Park and 109 outside the Park.

This compares with 156 people arrested countrywide in 2020.

In the 38 verdicts handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhino poachers/traffickers.

Read the minister’s statement here.

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#AntiPoaching#Rhino#conservation #wildlife @SANParks

See full statement herehttps://t.co/mSQUg8VEeu pic.twitter.com/47ALenobYZ

— Environmentza (@environmentza) February 9, 2022

#AntiPoaching#Rhino#conservation #wildlife #Poaching@SANParks pic.twitter.com/DaLn1XhICz

— Environmentza (@environmentza) February 9, 2022