Rhino slaughter in South Africa sets savage pace

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A rhino orphanage has opened in South Africa's northern province of Limpopo -- the first of its kind in the world. NBC's Rohit Kachroo reports.  By Miguel Llanos, NBC NewsPoachers have killed 455 rhinos so far this year in South Africa -- more than half in a single national park -- topping last year’s mark of 448, South Africa announced this week. The rhinos are killed for their horns, which fetch thousands of dollars and are ground up as a purported treatment for illnesses and hangovers.

Follow @NBCNewsUSKruger National Park, the crown jewel of the country's park system, saw 272 killings, South African National Parks said in a report Tuesday.

The World Wildlife Fund urged South Africa to provide more on-the-ground protection and to press Vietnam, which has become the main destination for rhino horns.




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