The number of rhinos poached in South Africa, home to 80% of the world’s population, fell marginally in 2015 after years of rising dramatically, according to newly released government figures. There were 1,175 rhinos killed last year, down from 1,215 the previous year, leading the government to conclude that poaching had “stabilized” and that efforts to protect the animals were starting to work. But experts said that conclusion was premature, given that it was based on a single year of data. They also suggested that efforts to protect rhinos in South Africa are driving poachers to neighboring countries. In Namibia, 80 rhinos were killed in 2015, up from 25 the previous year, and in…
South Africa reports a decrease in 2015 rhino poachings
