JOHANNESBURG: Rhino poaching in South Africa was 15 percent higher in 2021 than the preceding year as coronavirus restrictions that limited movement were eased, official figures showed Tuesday.
A total of 451 animals were killed in 2021, which is still 24 percent lower than the pre-pandemic year 2019, the country’s environment department reported.
Of the total, 327 animals were slaughtered in government national parks while 124 were targeted in private game reserves.