South Africa’s efforts to address the ongoing poaching of rhino for its horns will be taken to a new level when South Africa signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

COP 11 will be held in Hyderabad, India, from 8 to 19 October 2012.

This comes as the latest rhino poaching statistics indicate that a total of 373 rhinos have been killed since the beginning of this year. The total number of arrests stands at 199.

Thus far, the Kruger National Park has lost 229 rhinos to poaching. Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers- collectively accounting for the loss of 117 rhinos.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Biodiversity Conservation and Protection will cover co-operation between South Africa and Vietnam in the field of biodiversity management, law enforcement, compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and other relevant legislation.

Rhino poaching statistics:

The number of individuals arrested in connection with rhino poaching is 199. Of those arrested, 176 are at the level of poacher, 10 are receivers and 13 are couriers.

Rhino poaching arrests statistics:

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

Source:press release issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs 3 Sep 2012