The final figure for the total number of rhinos poached in S A during 2012 is 668. The previous year’s figure was 452. A simple arithmetic calculation provides a stunning statistic: there was a year-on-year increase of 47.8%!!!!!If this trend continues we can expect the number of rhinos to be poached in 2013 to be around the 987 mark !
The head of Sanparks has issued a statement that the number of rhinos poached in Kruger in 2012 is still less than the number of young born. What about the number of rhinos that died naturally ?
Are we going to wait until there is negative growth before we make this priority number ONE in conservation circles? I believe that more rangers are being employed and that sniffer dogs will be used at entrance gates. This is great news but we need to guard against fostering the impression that we have a complacent attitude. I often wonder for how much longer our guides will be able to show Rhinos to our tourists.
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