South Africa has lost 467 rinos to poachers as at 22 Octoiber 2012.
Contrary to recent media reports, both South Africa and Vietnam remain committed to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)that will promote cooperation between the two countries and compliance with CITES.
Discussions on a future date for both ministers to sign the MoU are on the table.Government is convinced that for South Africa to effectively deal with the current scourge of poaching, and with illegal hunting largely driven by international demand for the rhino horn, these international engagements and agreements are crucial.
In September 2011, the governments of Vietnam and South Africa agreed on a process towards the finalisation of the MoU that will see the collaboration of natural resource management, wildlife protection and law enforcement. South Africa had hoped to sign the MoU at the recently held 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in India which was concluded last week.
Poachers still have their sights firmly set on the country’s rhino population. The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit having lost 281 rhinos. The provinces most affected by rhino poaching are KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo and the North West, collectively accounting for 152 rhinos lost to illegal killings since the beginning of this year. A total of 208 people have been arrested in connection with rhino related activities. Rhino poaching statistics as at the 22 October 2012-10-22
- KNP: 281
- MNP Sanparks: 33
- GP: 1
- Limpopo: 49
- Mpumalanga: 21
- North West: 48
- Eastern Cape: 7
- Free State: 0
- KwaZulu Natal: 55
- Western Cape: 2
- Northern Cape: 0
- Total: 467
208 individuals have been arreste. 180 of the arrested are poachers, 10 are receivers and 18 are couriers.
South Africa: arrests
- KNP: 52
- MNP: 0
- Gauteng: 26
- Mpumalanga: 57
- Eastern Cape:0
- Limpopo: 34
- North West: 21
- Free State: 6
- KwaZulu_Natal: 11
- Western Capet: 0
- Northern Cape: 1
- Total: 208
Members of the public are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005 | 
