The number of rhinos killed in South Africa for their horns soared to more than 1,000 last year, a 50 per cent jump on 2012 and up from just 13 in 2007.
South Africa's environment agency said 1,004 animals were killed in 2013, mostly in Kruger national park – showing the rapid growth in poaching that threatens to wipe out the country's entire population of white and black rhinos.
Rhino poaching is being fuelled by growing demand from Vietnam and China, where the horns are believed to have medicinal properties.
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