SA: Rhino Poaching Syndicate Busted by Government Authorities

Last year 95% of all rhino poaching cases occurred in South Africa and Zimbabwe as rhino poaching reached a 15 year high.  Rhino horns are used in traditional Asian medicines, and more and more poaching syndicates have been forming around this highly lucrative market.  Recently one of these syndicates was shut down by the Johannesburg National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).  The NPA arrested men who are accused of killing 17 rhino in Kruger National Park, the Mfolozi National Park, and a number of game farms.  Along with the arrests they seized an airplane which is thought to be used to transport poachers, transport horns, and spot and target rhinos.  Three members have already been charged and sentenced with six more awaiting trial.

A black rhino

A black rhino that was killed and then had its horn removed to be sold on the black market

A poacher, his weapons and the horn that he illegally removed from an endangered black rhino

To read the full article about the poaching syndicate’s arrest click here

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