One hundred rhino were killed by poachers in the first two months of 2012, compared with 400 rhino killed in the whole of 2011.
That's according to a spokesperson for the newly launched "rhino orphanage" in Limpopo.
Arrie van Deventer of the Wildlife & Cultural Centre, at Legend Golf & Safari Resort, says South Africa is home to more than 90 per cent of rhino on the planet and the world's first rhino orphanage will be a major step forward in the battle to protect the species.
The centre will take in baby rhino who were orphaned or injured by poaching.