South African police have made another arrest this week of a Thai man suspected of being part of a criminal gang poaching rhino horn. This gang is a well-known and organised syndicate which has been increasing its poaching attacks in South Africa . At the moment they are also holding another Thai national, Chumlong Lemtongthai who has been arranging trophy hunting licenses and then buying rhino horns from the hunters for export to the Far East. They both have previous poaching convictions and convictions for illegal animal exports.

Poaching rhino horn for Asia is big business with a single rhino horn being worth around £5,000. The World Wildlife Fund has reported a huge increase in poaching rhinos in 2011 and the problem appears to be getting worse. Vietnam is one of the biggest markets for poached rhino horn as many believe it can cure cancer (although there is no evidence of this whatsoever) and there is demand elsewhere in the Far East for medical purposes. The effect this is having on the local rhino population is devastating and the black rhino is now an endangered animal on the WWF's watch list.

The South African police are really cracking down and stepping up their efforts to arrest anyone involved. With possible lengthy jail sentences they are hoping to deter people from becoming involved with these gangs despite the large sums of money they rake in.