The number of rhino poaching cases in South Africa continues to decline, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said on Sunday, marking World Rhino Day.
From January to June, the number of rhinos killed for their horns was 318, down from 386 during the same period last year.
"Although the battle to end poaching is far from over, we are proud to say that our efforts as government, private rhino owners and concerned citizens are paying dividends," Creecy said in a statement.
But the overall rate of rhino poaching still "risks the future of rhinos globally," the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which helped launch World Rhino Day, said in a statement issued on Friday.
"Only by acknowledging the complex web of organized crime and corruption behind each dead rhino and acting together for the long-term benefit of people can we stop the rising tide of losses," said Jo Shaw of WWF South Africa.
There are only about 25,000 black and white rhinos left in Africa. They are killed for their horn, which is believed to have medicinal purposes or used as an aphrodisiac, especially in Asia.
- DPA -
