Poaching forces rhino evacuation

The estimated street value of rhino horns make them more valuable than gold or platinum. Picture / AP

Up to 500 animals to be moved out of South Africa’s Kruger National Park as illegal killings for horns grow

Up to 500 rhinos are to be evacuated from Kruger National Park and taken to areas where they are less likely to fall prey to poachers, under plans announced by South African authorities.

Illegal rhino killings in Kruger have risen in recent years, going up from 13 in 2007 to 1004 in 2013 despite the deployment of soldiers throughout the vast nature reserve to protect them.

More than 630 rhinos have been killed in South Africa so far this year - 408 of them in Kruger, officials said.

"A decision has been made on this issue of translocation," said Edna Molewa, South Africa's Environment Minister. "Relocations from the Kruger National Park and the creation of rhino strongholds could allow the total rhino population size of South Africa to continue to grow."

The latest census showed that the park has between 8400 and 9600 white rhino, and about 2000 black rhino.

The operation will focus on areas of high poaching activity within Kruger, which is about the size of Wales, such as the park's eastern border with Mozambique, where those from impoverished communities are easily lured into poaching by the prospect of financial gains.

Molewa said that the animals will be darted with tranquillisers from helicopters so they can be moved. Moving each animal could cost up to US$2000 ($2370).

"We are looking at capturing about six to eight animals a day in the cooler months," said Markus Hofmeyr, the national park's head of veterinary services. As yet there is no time frame for moving the animals, but as South Africa is about to move into summer, the move may only get under way next April when the autumn begins.

Demand for the animals' horns has grown, especially in China. Rhino horn is no longer used only for its perceived medicinal benefits but as a sign of wealth, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Some conservationists estimate that rhino horn has a street value of US$65,000 per kilogram, which makes it more valuable than platinum or gold.

South Africa has relocated 1450 animals from Kruger over the past 15 years. In 2009 a record 250 rhinos were evacuated from the park, but Hofmeyr said the scale of the poaching problem calls for more drastic action.

The rhino will be relocated to other state-owned provincial parks, private parks and communal areas.

The Environment Ministry said nearby countries, such as Botswana and Zambia, may also be considered as hosts.

Rhino slayings In Kruger:
13
in 2007
1004
in 2013
408 so far
This year