Rhino poaching soaring in South Africa

South Africa says more rhinos were slaughtered in the first four months of 2015 than in the same period last year, as poaching hits record levels

RHINO POACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA, 2000-2015

1,200 animals killed

900

600

300

0

7 6 25 22 10 13 24 13 83 122 333 448 668 1,004 1,215 393

2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

Kruger National Park: WorldÕs most intense rhino poaching area

Jan-Apr: 62 more poachings than same period in 2014

ZIMBABWE

Gonarezhou

100km 62 miles

Zinave

Banhine

Limpopo

SOUTH AFRICA

MOZAMBIQUE

Kruger

Kruger National Park: Home to South AfricaÕs 20,700-strong rhino population Ð worldÕs largest

Jan-Apr 2015: Rangers catch 132 suspected poachers, aided by helicopters and dogs

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park: Comprises Kruger, and other national parks in Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Rhinos killed for their horns, used in traditional Asian medicine

Feb 2015: South African government begins study into whether trade in rhino horn should be legalised and regulated to try and halt poaching

Sources: SANParks, WWF, York University, wire agencies

Picture: Getty Images

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