The South African government on Tuesday refuted criticism by animal rights activists that it has neglected its duty to thwart rhino poaching.

South African rhinos [File photo]?

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) said in a statement that animal rights activists should be part of the solution instead of "playing to the gallery."

The statement said the department would like to quash allegations by animal rights activists that criticized efforts to address on-going rhino poaching.

Rhino poaching and illegal trade in rhino horns is a global phenomenon which is also occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Mozambique, Nepal and Zimbabwe, the statement said, quoting the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) .

"South Africa's experience and intervention measures in fighting the illegal trade were well received and other member states affected by the same problem were encouraged to follow suit, " the statement said.

To stem the surge in rhino poaching, the government has taken a series steps such as strengthening requirements relating to hunting, the statement said.

Such requirements enable the issuing authorities to determine whether the applicant is a bona fide hunter. In addition to the above, the issuing authority must also consider whether the country of usual residence of the hunting client, where the rhinoceros horn and the rest of the trophy will be imported to, has adequate legislation to ensure that the rhinoceros horns and the rest of the hunting trophy will be used for the purpose as indicated on the permit.

The DEA has also recommended to all Provincial Conservation Authorities, responsible for the issuance of hunting permits, to refuse all applications for white rhinoceros hunting by foreign hunters whose state of usual residence is Vietnam until Vietnam has confirmed, in writing, that all rhino trophies exported since 2010 are still in the possession of the hunters, the statement said.

The DEA also plans to engage stakeholders to reach national consensus on proposals relating to international trade in CITES listed species, according to the statement.

This includes discussions with major role-players on whether or not to approach the international community with a proposal to trade in rhino horn.

There are other interventions being implemented in pursuit of resolving the rhino poaching problem, such as the ongoing bilateral consultations with consumer countries such as Vietnam, the statement said.

Also on Tuesday, the DTE said South Africa has to date lost a total of 262 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of this year and a total of 173 individuals have been arrested in connection with rhino poaching.

Targeted provinces include Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal which collectively account for 100 poached rhinos.

South Africa will continue all its efforts locally and internationally to address the ongoing scourge, the DEA said.