National park officials have reported that a total of 333 rhinos were killed last year, marking the country’s highest level of rhino kills ever. The figures nearly tripled on 2009, during which 122 rhinos were killed. So far, five rhinos have been poached within the first two weeks of 2011.

Up to 21,000 rhinos live in South Africa, which is more than any other country in the world. A rising interest in rhinos’ horns from Asia is the main reason for the rising number of poaches. The rhino horn is prized as an ingredient in traditional Asian medicines.

The big increase in rhino poaches is threatening decades of hard work and success in building up the black and white rhino population in South Africa, WWF said. Asia’s demand for rhino horn means an international collaboration is needed to reduce poaching levels.

“Only a concerted international enforcement pincer movement, at both ends of the supply [South Africa] and demand [Asia] chain, can hope to nip this rhino poaching crisis in the bud,” said Tom Milliken, director of TRAFFIC’s East and Southern Africa programme. TRAFFIC is a network that monitors wildlife trade.

Since 2008, South Africa has responded swiftly to poaching and increased its law enforcement efforts. Approximately 162 poaching arrests were made last year, WWF said. But efforts to cut poaching figures is made harder by the poachers using helicopters, night-vision equipment and veterinary tranquilisers. Poachers also have silencers on their guns so that park wardens are not able to hear when rhinos are being attacked. “This is not typical poaching,” Dr. Joseph Okori, manager of the WWF African Rhino Programme said.

It is crucial that law enforcement agencies and environmental groups continue their work to significantly reduce poaching levels. “Many more successful convictions, backed up by appropriately daunting penalties will significantly demonstrate the South African government’s commitment to preventing the clouding of the country’s excellent rhino conservation track record that it has built up over the past several decades,” Dr. Morné duPlessis, chief executive officer of WWF South Africa said.

There are only 4,200 black rhinos in existence and they are listed as ‘critically endangered’ animals, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Ten black rhinos were killed in 2010. White rhinos are classified as ‘near threatened’ animals by IUCN. A total of 146 rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park, which is home to the largest population of both white and black rhino in South Africa.