Security will be stepped up at Shamwari Game Reserve after a female rhino died after being darted and dehorned.

A rhino calf, which was also dehorned, survived the attack which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning.

Shamwari group ecologist, John O’Brien, says they believe the female rhino bled to death after her horn was removed.

He says Shamwari has always been pro-active when it came to anti-poaching, but adds this incident is big blow.

“We certainly not going to let them get on top of us. We are going to increase our vigilance and working closely with the police to make sure we are going to the people who actually did this,” he said.

Shamwari Game Reserve was the first in the Eastern Cape where rhino poaching occurred three years ago.

It’s still not nown how the poachers entered the game reserve.

O’Brien says poachers are becoming more sophisticated.

“Most of the poaching has incidents these days are with darting and scheduled drugs. How they getting their hands on them we don’t know, but poachers are getting more and more sophisticate as we go,” he said.

The case is being investigated by members of the Hawks from East London.

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