{"id":28804,"date":"2012-03-01T16:16:29","date_gmt":"2012-03-01T21:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/planetsave.com\/?p=28804"},"modified":"2012-03-01T16:16:29","modified_gmt":"2012-03-01T21:16:29","slug":"rhino-crisis-round-up-s-african-death-toll-rises-to-80-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/planetsave.com\/articles\/rhino-crisis-round-up-s-african-death-toll-rises-to-80-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhino Crisis Round Up: S African Death Toll Rises to 80 & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s just 61 days into 2012 and at least 80 rhinos have already been killed in South Africa.<\/p>\n

South African National Parks (SANParks) released<\/a> the grim tally earlier this week, along with the news that four Kruger National Park employees have been arrested for suspected involvement with rhino killings.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. David Mabunda, the Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, expressed his disappointment in a SANParks statement.<\/p>\n

It is a very sad day for South Africa to find out that the unscrupulous and revolting hands of the poaching syndicates have stretched as far as to taint the hands of those trusted with the great responsibility of being guardians of our natural heritage.<\/p>\n

I am personally saddened to discover that some of our own would so callously abuse the confidence and faith that we have entrusted upon them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The employee case has been postponed<\/a> until next week for a formal bail application.<\/p>\n

43 of the 80 rhino killings occurred in South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, several rhino horns were reportedly<\/a> stolen from the police evidence laboratory in Pretoria.<\/p>\n

A lab clerk, identified as Azarial Shola Matjila, appeared in he Pretoria District Court on Wednesday and “vehemently denied any wrongdoing”.<\/p>\n

Rodeo star arrested for rhino horn smuggling<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the US, additional details have emerged regarding “Operation Crash”, which has so far resulted in the arrests<\/a> of seven people for rhino horn trafficking.<\/p>\n

One of the suspects, Wade Steffen, is a former rodeo star, and was a 2010 co-champion at the All-American ProRodeo Finals in Waco, Texas.<\/p>\n

In February 2011, he was attacked by a camel and rescued by people who apparently gouged out the camel’s eye.<\/p>\n

Steffen is currently<\/a> in a Texas jail, where he is awaiting transfer to California. He is charged with conspiracy and violations of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act.<\/p>\n

The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; for violating the Lacey Act, five years and $250,000; and for violating the Endangered Species Act, one year and $100,000.<\/p>\n

The other six suspects have been identified<\/a> as follows:<\/p>\n