30-Sep-09 8:00 AM CST

Rhino poaching up in SA

Pretoria - The poaching of rhinos has increased in South Africa, Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said on Wednesday.

"The number of poached rhinos has increased from 10 to 100 per annum," she said at the launch of the 2009 Natura Coin Series in Pretoria.

She said the coins were silent ambassadors to create awareness on endangered wildlife.

She explained that poaching has become more complex.

"It is not like in the past where AK47s were used, today helicopters and other means are used in poaching".

At the launch, Sonjica set off production of the first set of the 2009 white rhino coins.

"I hope this coin will create will create awareness about the rhino," she said holding one of the coins.

At risk

She explained that the white rhino was at risk of being wiped out.

"In the late 60's there were about 100 000 white rhinos but the number has come down to 2 400 in 1995."

The 2009 Natura Coin Series featuring the white rhino is made out of one ounce of pure gold.

Proceeds for the sale of this coin will be donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Chief executive officer of the trust Yolan Friedman said organised poaching gangs were using legal loopholes to trade the rhino horns in the Far East.

To counter this, the trust has launched a project called Strengthening the Security of the Rhino in South Africa.

The project is a three pronged approach focusing on law enforcement, tracking the trade in rhino horns and security of the rhino population.

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