The Witness daily reports that rangers have found the decomposing carcasses of the animals, apparently shot with high-caliber rifles and their horns cleanly removed with a sharp instrument.

Only about two or three killings a year have occurred over the past decade, with some years not seeing any of the animals slaughtered.

Rhinoceros horns are highly prized in Asia, especially China, where they are considered to have medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties.

South Africa's biggest game reserve, Kruger National Park in the northeast of the country, also reported a slow and steady increase in rhino killings last year.

Zimbabwe announced in 2007 a plan to surgically dehorn the country’s rhino population to prevent poaching. That country has lost thousands of the animals to the illicit trade in rhino horns.

Photo: KZN Wildlife