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1,175 rhinos poached in S. Africa last year

Xinhua, January 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Fewer rhinos were poached in South Africa in 2015 compared with the previous year, indicating that the rhino-poaching situation has stabilized, Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa said on Thursday.

The country reported 1,175 poached rhinos in 2015, of which 826 were in the Kruger National Park (KNP), one of Africa's largest game reserves in northeast South Africa, Molewa said at a press briefing in Pretoria.

In 2014, the number of poached rhinos stood at 1, 215.

"I am today pleased to announce that for the first time in a decade - the poaching situation has stabilized," Molewa said.

"Considering that this is despite escalating poaching pressure, and in the face of an increased and relentless rise of poaching activity into protected areas, this is very good news, and offers great cause for optimism," she said.

As there has been an approximately 10 percent increase in the number of poaching activity in the KNP, it is clear that were it not for these interventions, the situation would be far worse and many more rhinos would be lost, Molewa said.

"What is particularly good about this news, is that whilst poaching numbers often rise drastically over December, this time, the much-feared year-end spike was averted," she said.

The minister also reported that based on a new census of the rhino population conducted by the South African National Parks, the SA rhino population continues to be stable.

The 2015 survey showed that the KNP is home to between approximately 8, 400 to 9, 300 white rhinos.

Molewa noted that the onslaught against rhinos has continued unabated.

South Africa has stepped up its efforts and improved its strategies, she said.

This approach has delivered a number of satisfying results over the past year, particularly with regards to the number of arrests made.

During 2015, a total of 317 poachers were arrested for rhino poaching related offences. Of this, 202 were arrested in the KNP and 115 in the area adjacent to the park. This is a marked increase in arrests from 258 in 2014.

A total of 125 firearms were seized inside the park in 2015, and 63 just outside the park, Molewa said. Enditem