This is a situation that is way out of control and really upsets and angers me! please join us in making a noise at midday to save this special creature who very shortly will become extinct! 

In South Africa, more than 200 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year - up from a total of 122 poached last year. This weekend, 5 were killed in the Pilansberg alone!

Conservation agencies, at a press conference earlier this month, said a growing, wealthier middle class in East Asia and widespread use of cellphones, making communication between poachers and customers possible, were some of the causes for the increase in rhino poaching.

"There is a growing middle class in East Asian society that can afford to buy rhino horn... which they use as medicine," World Wildlife Fund (WWF) spokesperson Joseph Okori told reporters.

Rhino horn is incorrectly believed to treat cancer, among other diseases, in some Asian countries. SAPA

Tomorrow marks the WWF's first "Make a noise for rhino day" initiative in support of the country's "rhino warriors" - the men and women who risked their lives daily fighting gangs running the illegal rhino horn trade.

Apart from blowing vuvuzelas and tooting car hooters, the WWF encouraged people to make donations at www.wwf.org.za. which would be used to buy anti-poaching equipment for guards, including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour and tracking devices.

- SAPA