Pretoria - A total of 129 alleged rhino poachers have been arrested in South Africa since the beginning of the year, the Department of Environmental Affairs said.
The majority, 58, have been arrested in the Kruger National Park.
SANParks has confirmed the arrest of three alleged poachers in the Lebombo Conservancy area of Mozambique following a joint operation involving rangers from South Africa and Mozambique early this morning. A .458 hunting rifle and poaching equipment were confiscated.
Officials said since January, a total of 446 rhino have been poached across the country. The Kruger National Park has lost 280 rhino to poachers, while the number of rhino poached in North West has increased to 50.
A total of 45 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 38 in KwaZulu-Natal, 30 in Mpumalanga, two in the Eastern Cape and one in Gauteng.
The public is urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211. – SAnews.gov.za
