World Rhino Day, celebrated on 22 September, was clouded with the news that the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa this year is fast approaching the 700 mark. 

According to the latest figures released by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 5 September, poachers have killed 618 rhinos across South Africa. Unofficial figures released on the Internet puts the number at 688 rhinos so far. This is far more than the 668 rhinos butchered during 2012.

The Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique, suffered the largest number of killings, with 381 (DEA figures) since January this year. In Limpopo, 64 rhinos have been slaughtered for their horns.

Following this trend, DEA Minister Ms Edna Molewa had declared rhino poaching a priority crime during March this year. She is also lobbying to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to get their approval for the selling of stockpiled rhino horns. CITES will vote on this proposal in 2016.

In the meantime, the Limpopo police have once again reminded the public that reward money of up to R500 000 will be paid to those who can provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in the act of rhino poaching or dealing in rhino horns.