Nine rhino carcasses have been found in northern KwaZulu-Natal today. The killings bring to 394 the number of rhino killed in the country since the beginning of the year, 46 of these in KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa is home to the largest rhino population in the world and it's under heavy threat. Eight of the rhinos were found slaughtered in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi and one at the Isimangaliso Game Parks.
All the animals were adults - one leaves behind a one-month-old calf. KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo Wildlife’s Bandile Mkhize says: "I’m in a state of shock. Never has it ever happened that eight rhinos are discovered in one weekend. This has been a rude awakening for us."
Mkhize adds: "We thought we were on top of this rhino poaching issue but, it looks like the poachers are a step ahead of us. We can never allow that situation to prevail."
Ezemvelo has appealed to all South Africans to assist in addressing the poaching problem. A march to raise awareness is planned in northern KwaZulu-Natal next month.
- SABC News
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