A tip-off netted three suspects and four rhino horns.
Three people were reportedly arrested for illegal rhino horn possession over the weekend in South Africa’s Gauteng Province. The arrests were made by the Hawks in two different locations in Bedfordview.
Although the trio’s names have not yet been released, they are said to be Congolese, Taiwanese, and the third from Cameroon.
South Africa’s Eyewitness News reported that the suspects appeared at the Germiston Magistrate’s Court; investigations are ongoing, to determine if there is international syndicate involvement. (Read the entire article at Three arrested inR1m rhino horn bust.)
Rhino death toll rising
On May 20th, the number of rhinos murdered in South Africa in 2011 was noted by South African National Parks (SANParks) as at least 159.
Last year, the total number of rhinos killed reached a staggering 333 in South Africa.
In an effort to protect the iconic species, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was reportedly deployed last month to protect the international border between the Kruger National Park and Mozambique, which was identified as a deadly hotspot for rhino killings.
Continued use of illegal rhino horn
At the root of this killing spree is the continued use of illegal rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine, which is still sought after in both China and Vietnam.
However, rhino horn has been rigorously analyzed and actually contains no medical properties whatsoever. (Read the entire article at Busting the Rhino Horn Myth with Science.)
It also cannot be overlooked that corrupt factions within South Africa’s own wildlife conservation community have shared responsibility for fueling the country’s rhino crisis.
![Rhino Horns and Trophies Exported to Asia from South Africa 2000 – 2010 [Infographic]](http://www.rhinoconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/special-recent-posts/lib/phpimage.php?width=100&height=100&rotation=no&file=L2hvbWUyL2Jpb2RpdmUxL3B1YmxpY19odG1sL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDEyLzA1L1JoaW5vVHJvcGhpZXNIb3Juc0luZm9ncmFwaGljVGh1bWJuYWlsLmpwZw==)
