(2013) Worst year ever for SA rhino poaching

By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent, BBC News

Highlights:

"More white rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa in 2013 than in any previous year, according to government figures.

A total of 1,004 animals were poached, representing a 50% increase over the previous 12 months."

and

"In 2007, only 13 rhinos were killed in South Africa for their horns; in 2013, it was almost three a day...

Campaigners say that they are concerned that at this rate, the number of deaths will soon surpass births leading to an inevitable decline."

and

"It can sell for up to $65,000 per kilogramme, making it more expensive than gold or cocaine (for China and Vietnam "traditional medicine").

Much of the killing takes place in South Africa's Kruger National Par(k) which borders Mozambique. This impoverished nation is believed to be an operational base for the organised criminal gangs who poach and distribute the horn to Asia.

'South Africa has a 230km porous border with Mozambique that presents a huge challenge, but there are other issues at play,' said Tom Milliken.

'One wonders if it is really possible to kill over 1,000 rhino if there isn't some degree of collusion and internal corruption that is going on?'"

Indeed! It's hard to compete with tourism when the snakeheads and gangsters are getting $30,000 for a pound of rhino horn - that leaves plenty of money for advanced firearms, vehicles, bribes... and, yes, a pittance for the very poor people who are at the pointy end of this, the locals making a pittance - but a year or two's wages - for killing, butchering and risking their lives.