Poachers threaten rhino survival

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Wildlife experts say they've seen a dramatic increase in rhinoceros killed by poachers in South African game reserves.

While 10 rhinos were killed illegally on the reserves in 2007, at least 100 were poached last year -- 13 on Christmas Day alone, The Sunday Times of London reported.

"We've always had subsistence poaching. But serious poaching for large game by professionals selling rhino horn or ivory to Far Eastern syndicates is far more alarming," said George Hughes, a former head of the KwaZulu-Natal Parks Board in South Africa.

Former South African army professionals and foreign diplomats may be involved in the killings, the Times said, noting a Vietnamese diplomat was videotaped receiving contraband rhino horn outside his embassy in Pretoria.

Rhino poaching in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania have left only about 3,500 wild black rhinos and an estimated 2,000 wild white rhinos worldwide, wildlife experts told the Times. The most secure reserves are believed to be in Namibia and Botswana.