And there it is – not 10 days into the new year, a dead, de-horned rhino has been found in the North West. Click for story.

According to Timeslive:

The carcass of the first rhino killed for its horns in 2013 was found in the Madikwe Game Reserve, the North West environmental affairs department said on Monday.

“I can confirm that a rhino has died and was found on Saturday evening in the reserve,” spokeswoman Dumisa Seshabela said.

“It was confirmed as rhino poaching on Sunday. Both the horns of the bull were removed. The cause of death was a shot near the front of his neck.”

Seshabela said no arrests had been made and investigations continued. Further information was not available.

On December 19, the national environmental affairs department said a total of 633 rhinos were killed for their horns in 2012.

[more]

Hopefully the government will follow through with their promises to deal with this horrific, mindless problem.

On December 31, President Jacob Zuma said South Africans needed a society free from abuse and violence, as well as one where animals, especially rhinos, were safe from poachers.

But the topic has become somewhat controversial:

Former home affairs director-general Mavuso Msimang, who has been set the task of researching ways of saving the rhino from poaching, is expected to report in the first quarter of this year. His report will also advise on whether South Africa should apply to trade in rhino horn under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites).

The trade issue has polarised many South Africans who have the rhino’s best interests at heart. Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa will have the unenviable task of deciding whether South Africa should apply to trade in rhino horn.

[more here]

Very interesting and highly controversial. What do you think?