Record rhino poaching seen in S. Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Poaching driven by a demand for rhino horns has reached record levels in South Africa this year, wildlife charity WWF says.

Officials with South African National Parks say 341 rhinos have been killed so far in 2011, passing last year's total of 333, the BBC reported Thursday.

The increase in poaching in Africa, and a similar increase in South Asia, is largely the result of increased demand for rhino horn in Vietnamese traditional medicine, the WWF said.

In Vietnam it is widely believe ground rhino horn can cure cancer despite the lack of any scientific evidence.

Prior to 2005, an average of just 36 rhinos were killed each year in South Africa, the WWF said.

Although law enforcement efforts in South Africa were increasing they were not sufficient to stop the smuggling and sale of rhino horns by organized crime rings, the group said.

"Since armed protection for rhinos in South African national parks is strong, poaching syndicates are likely to shift to countries with weaker enforcement power, including possibly Asian countries that may be caught off-guard," Carlos Drews, global species program director at WWF, said in a statement.