Another rhino has been poached, this time on a luxury private reserve near the Great Fish River on the outskirts of Port Alfred.
The four-year-old heifer was found at about 7.30am on Tuesday.
It is believed to have been killed either on Sunday night or Monday morning.
The latest poaching brings this year’s tally to five for the Eastern Cape.
The reserve is not being named for fear that other rhinos there might be targeted.
Officials on the scene said the white rhino had been shot with a hunting rifle and had both horns removed.
Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni said the animal had last been seen alive at 10am on Monday.
“It was shot and both horns removed. It is unknown how the suspects entered or exited the property.” He said the investigation was continuing. In April, four rhinos were killed on two different Eastern Cape reserves.
Last year, 12 rhinos were killed in the Eastern Cape, compared with 19 killed in 2016.
All the rhino poaching cases are being investigated by the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.