Johannesburg - There has been a dramatic increase in rhinoceros-poaching in South Africa, with at least 76 animals recorded killed last year, according to the environment ministry.

The true figure was believed to be far higher, the Saturday Star reported. It said 37 rhinoceros were shot in the Krueger National Park alone, while only ten were shot countrywide the previous year.

The well-organised poaching gangs were using automatic weapons and taking advantage of legal loopholes in order to trade the animal's horn, which is prized as a potency agent in Asian countries.

A Vietnamese diplomat was recently recalled from Pretoria after a television team secretly filmed him in smuggling operations. (dpa)