Poachers killed 668 rhinos in South Africa last year, as demand for their horns continued to surge on the black market in Asia.
AAP reports most of the animals were from the Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest wildlife reserve.
Five more animals have been killed since the start of the year, according to the environmental affairs ministry.
Poaching-related arrests rose from 165 in 2010 to 267 in 2012.
The number of rhinos poached in South Africa was 13 in 2007, and 448 in 2011.
