Nearly 300 rhino poached this year

This graphic shows the worst hit areas of rhino poaching in South Africa so far in 2012. (Sapa)

Johannesburg - Nearly 300 rhino have been poached this year, the environmental affairs department said on Tuesday.

"The number of rhino poached in South Africa since the beginning of this year now stands at 281 with a total of 176 individuals arrested in connection with rhino poaching," it said in a statement.

The Kruger National Park has had 164 rhinos poached this year. In Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal 110 were poached.

Of the 176 arrests, 153 were poachers, 10 receivers or couriers, six buyers, and seven exporters.

Last year, 448 rhinos were poached countrywide, 252 of these in the Kruger National Park.

The department urged the public to report any illegal activity involving rhino.

- SAPA/News24