Black rhinoceros who survived being shot by poachers is transported to South African zoo

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JOHANNESBURG — A critically endangered black rhino shot nine times by poachers in South Africa has been moved to a zoo in Johannesburg.

Faan Coetzee of the Endangered Wildlife Trust said Monday that 5-year-old Phila will stay at the zoo until she recovers from her wounds, which may take six months.

Although she had been dehorned so she’d be less attractive to poachers, Phila was shot twice in the wild and seven times in captivity at a game farm.

Conservationists say rhino poaching has increased dramatically because of high demand for rhino horn in Asia, where it is used for medicinal purposes.

South Africa, which hosts more than 90% of the world’s rhino population, has been losing some 20 rhinos per month.

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-- Associated Press