Rhino poaching in South Africa on the rise

PRETORIA, South Africa, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Illegal killing of rhinoceros in South Africa is on the rise, South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs reported Friday.

The number of poached rhinos increased to 1,004 in 2013, from 668 in 2012 and 448 in 2011. The report added 37 have been poached since the start of 2014.

The number of people arrested for rhino poaching-related offenses climbed to 343 in 2013, from 267 in 2012. Most of the arrests came in South Africa's Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game preserves, the report said.