The department of environmental affairs says the number of rhino poachers arrested in South Africa this year has reached 167.
It says the increase in arrests comes as the total number of rhino poached in South Africa since January 2013 has increased to 587.
The Kruger National Park remains hardest hit, having lost 362 rhino to poachers so far this year.
Of the total number of rhino poached, 60 were killed for their horns in both the North West and KwaZulu-Natal, 59 in Limpopo and 39 in Mpumalanga.
The department said government would intensify its efforts in the fight against rhino poaching with stronger international relations.
