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More Than 100 Rhinos Killed In A Month In South Africa

More Than 100 Rhinos Killed In A Month In South Africa

From BusinessStandard.

More than 100 rhinos were killed in the past month by poachers in South Africa, bringing the total to almost 800 this year, the government said Friday.

South Africa has around 80 percent of the world’s rhino population, estimated at about 25,000.

“The number of rhinos poached for their horns in South Africa since January 2013 has increased to 790,” the department of environmental affairs said in a statement, Xinhua reported.

Authorities have arrested 31 poachers over the last two weeks. “The total number of people facing rhino poaching-related charges has increased to 259,” the statement said.

The Kruger National Park bordering Mozambique is worst affected, with 476 rhinos poached since January.

Rhino poaching has surged in recent years to feed black market demand for their horns, mainly in Asia.

In 2011, South Africa said rhino poaching was a national security risk.

Read more at BusinessStandard.