Rhino poaching avalanche getting worse – And robberies escalating too

11/12/2011 15:09:49 408 rhinos killed in South Africa so far in 2011
December 2011. South African National Parks announces that 405 rhinos have been poached throughout South Africa so far this year. However, at least two more have been killed in South Africa's Limpopo province since the announcement was made a few days ago. The hardest hit areas have been the Kruger National Park, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

Increase from 333 rhinos killed in 2011
The number of rhinos poached is up by approximately 21.6% from the 333 of the previous year, against an increase of 173% and 47% for 2010 and 2009 respectively. The number of arrests has also increased from the previous year by approximately 27.3% to 210, from 165 in 2010.  See the table below.

Robberies
There has been an increasing incidence, especially across Europe, of robberies of Rhino horn from museums and other institutions. The Metropolitan Police Service's Art and Antiques Unit have been made aware of an emerging crime trend relating to the theft of rhino horn from museums, auction houses and other institutions throughout the UK and Europe.

It is believed that organised criminal gangs are targeting premises after conducting research and hostile reconnaissance. They use a variety of methods to steal the objects including 'smash and grab' style thefts and overnight burglaries. They have been known to use force when challenged. The latest spate of offences has been sparked by the significant increase in the value of rhino horn which is used in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries.

The price of rhino horn can now reach up to £60,000 per kilo - twice the value of gold. Recently there have been a number of significant seizures by customs officers worldwide and South Africa has recorded a vast increase in the poaching of rhinoceros across the country.

Detective Constable Ian Lawson, from the Art and Antiques Unit, said: "We have been made aware of approximately 20 thefts of rhino horn from museums and auctions houses across the UK and Europe in the past six months. Additionally we have been made aware of incidents in the UK where premises that have rhino horn on display have been subject to hostile reconnaissance. We advise all museums, auction houses, stately homes or private individuals who are in possession of rhino horns to be extra vigilant and review their security arrangements. Consideration should be given to removing rhino horns from public display and storing them in secure locations, informing the public that the items have been removed."

 

ECI	LIM	MNP (Marakele)	KNP	Mpum	KZN	FreeS	EC	WC	NC	NW	Gaut	Total
Incidents	66	5	229	26	31	4	11	4	0	20	9	405
Arrest	26	0	77	66	4	0	2	0	0	21	14	210

 

Lim = Limpopo
KNP = Kruger National Park
Mpum = Mpumalanga 
KZN = KwaZula Natal 
FreeS = Free State
EC = Eastern Cape
WC = Western Cape
NC = Northern Cape
Gaut = Gauteng