PRETORIA - Increased anti-poaching efforts has made a big difference to rhino poaching numbers in South Africa says Minister Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa.

“Outside of the Kruger National Park rhino poaching has decreased,” said Molewa.

For 2015 up until 27 August 2015, 749 rhinos have been poached, a small increase from 716 rhinos poached during the same period in 2014 said the Minister.

Outside the Kruger National Park rhinos poached in 2015 are 205 compared to 257 rhinos poached outside of the park for the same duration.

Molewa was speaking at a media briefing on rhino poaching Sunday afternoon in Pretoria.

Min. Edna Molewa: We&39;ve observed a 27% increase of poachers entering the Kruger Park @eNCA Rhino poaching — Bianca Bothma (@BiancaZAR) August 30, 2015

“We’re fighting heavily armed and highly organised crime syndicates,” said Molewa.



More than 400 rangers are working in the Kruger National Park as part of the anti-poaching force deployment.



There are also an additional 90 SANDF field operators.

Rhino poaching stats 1: There are 12 groups of poachers in the KNP at any time @eNCA — Bianca Bothma (@BiancaZAR) August 30, 2015

Rhino poaching stats 2: In 2014 there were 4,300 poachers in the KNP in total @eNCA — Bianca Bothma (@BiancaZAR) August 30, 2015

Rhino poaching stats 3: In 2015 there has been an average of three incidents of poaching every day @eNCA — Bianca Bothma (@BiancaZAR) August 30, 2015

Dr Sam Ferreira of SANparks said that even though the poaching incidents have increased, the number of rhinos killed per day hasn’t.



“That’s the difference rangers make,” he said.



“The poaching figures are not a cause for despondency. Were it not for the interventions they could be far worse,” said Molewa.



The Minister of Environmental Affairs was joined by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula, and the Minister of Police Mr Nathi Nhleko at the briefing.



On Wednesday 27 August the Limpopo rhino poaching task team acted on information from the Hawks in Pretoria and arrested suspected three poachers in Pienaarsriver.



The three suspects were en route to a private game farm in Thabazimbi when they were stopped. A panga, a hunting rifle with a silencer and live ammunition were found in the possession of the suspects.

* For more on this story, watch the video in the gallery above.

