The presence of **[poachers](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/indignante-cazadores-mataron-a-un-yaguarete-en-la-provincia-de-formosa/)** in South Africa is concerning. The statistics are alarming. So far this year, more than 100 rhinoceroses have been killed.
Furthermore, the majority of them were killed **inside national parks**. This is one of the most well-known endangered species.
## Poachers in South Africa: alarming numbers
South Africa’s Minister of Environment, **Dion George**, released the numbers on Monday and stated that of the **103 dead rhinoceroses** between January 1 and March 31, **65 were poached** in national parks.
The average of more than one rhinoceros killed per day is in line with last year’s count. “It is a **stark reminder of the relentless threat** to [our wildlife](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/rescatan-aves-silvestres-de-cazadores-furtivos-y-las-trasladan-a-un-centro-de-conservacion/),” George expressed.
South Africa has the largest rhinoceros population in the world, with an estimated **16,000 to 18,000 animals**, according to conservation groups. This includes black and white rhinoceroses.
Black rhinoceroses are only **found in the wild in Africa** and are classified as critically endangered, with around **6,400 individuals** remaining, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. About **2,000 are in South Africa**.
## Criminal Networks
In this context, the country’s authorities have focused in recent years on the **criminal networks they believe are behind** much of the rhinoceros poaching in the country.
The Ministry of Environment celebrated a conviction last year of what they called a “ringleader” of poaching from Mozambique.
This was **Simon Ernesto Valoi**, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison by a Mozambique court for leading a rhinoceros poaching operation in the vast Kruger National Park in South Africa, which borders Mozambique.
