Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 22-09-2016

As the world celebrates ‘World Rhino Day’, the Environmental Affairs Department says while there has been a decrease in the number of Rhino attacks, more stringent security is needed to protect the animals

South Africa has lost nearly 6,000 rhinos to poachers since 2007 including more than 700 so far this year.

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa says rhino poaching will be high on the agenda at the 17th Conference of the parties to Cities  (COP17) in Johannesburg this weekend.

“So for now we’re still safe, but we do think that all the measures that we’re applying that are about security, we’ve to strengthen them and we’re strengthening them.

For years rhinos have been relentlessly hunted and poached for their horns.

A total of 414 alleged poachers have been arrested in South Africa since January. Of these, 177 were made in the Kruger National Park and 237 in the rest of the country.

World Rhino Day celebrated on September 22 every year aims to provide and opportunity for organizations involved in Rhino conservation, as well as members of the public to celebrate these unique and special animals which include all 5 species of Rhino: Black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan Rhinos.

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143