Polokwane - The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has sent a warning about a possible renewed poaching onslaught on rhinos during the festive season.
Department spokeperson Joshua Kwapa said statistics showed that illegal rhino hunting increased significantly during the holidays over December and January.
"We suspect that during the festive season, poachers take advantage of the fact that people are on holiday in the game reserves and that there's generally a relaxed atmosphere," said Kwapa.
He said the department's directorate of environmental compliance and enforcement would be on high alert and conducting special operations with the police.
"These operations will be conducted throughout the province, especially on the roads leading to nature reserves and game parks, and will include monitoring from aircraft," said Kwapa.
He asked communities to provide authorities with any information about suspected rhino poachers, who tended to come from villages and towns close to reserves and often bragged about their successes.
"People can use the national environmental crime and incident hotline number, 0800 205 005, or contact their nearest police station if they have any information that can help us curb the onslaught on rhino," said Kwapa.
He added that Limpopo's private game reserves had lost 52 rhinos this year, but could not give a number for its state parks.
The Kruger National Park, which falls in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, have lost 130 rhinos, while the overall figure for South Africa stood at about 310 by Tuesday.
