The South African government released a statement on Friday claiming a record number of rhinos were poached in 2013 in addition to citing three dozen already killed this year, ABC News reported.
In the statement released by the department of environmental affairs, officials said of the 1,004 rhinos killed, around 60 percent of them were poached in Kruger National Park. They also said 668 rhinos were poached in 2012.
Additionally, law enforcement saw a 30 percent increase in one year in arrests for offenses connected to rhino poaching, stating 343 people were detained in 2013.
In Asia, the rhino horn is seen as a status symbol and healing agent, though there is no evidence proving that it's effective medicine. According to TIME magazine, the high demand for rhino horns in Asia -- specifically Vietnam and China -- have resulted in the increase in rhino poaching.
On Friday, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also issued a statement written by Dr. Jo Shaw, the rhino program manager for South Africa, urging both South Africa and Mozambique to start arresting people higher up in the trafficking chain to prevent further poaching increases and killing altogether.
On their website, WFF states there was a 5000 percent increase from 2007 to 2012 in rhino poaching.
"These criminal networks are threatening our national security and damaging our economy by frightening away tourists," Shaw said. "Rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking are not simply environmental issues, they represent threats to the very fabric of our society."
"The bottom line is South Africa's rhinos are up against the wall, facing a genuine crisis and agreements like these have to translate into meaningful action on the ground."
