South Africa is home to more than 80 percent of African rhinoceros population.  But poachers have been reducing their numbers despite efforts to protect the beasts.  The latest plan is to bypass the poachers entirely, and move the Rhinos out of harm’s way.

Most of the rhinos live in Kruger National Park, about the size of Israel or Wales.  But wardens have been unable to stop illegal poaching, which sharply from 13 in 2007 to 1,004 in 2013.  There could be as few as 8,400 white rhinos left in Kruger.

The Environment Ministry wants to relocate as many as 500 of the beasts – each weighing more than a ton – into newly created “rhino strongholds” that would be easier to protect than the vast Kruger Park, and allow the population to grow.

“South Africa, with its large rhino populations, has borne the brunt of rhino poaching.  We remain confident that our efforts in implementing the integrated strategic approach will build on our successful track record of conserving rhino,” Environment Minister Edna Molewasaid.

Poachers kill rhinoceri for their horns, which are trafficked to Asia for use in ridiculous and ineffective traditional medicines such as aphrodisiacs, but also as a symbol of wealth.