JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- An animal rights watch has accused the South African government of routinely releasing unreliable information on wildlife, making it difficult to monitor conservation practices, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).

Animal Rights Africa (ARA) told SAPA on Wednesday that statistics supplied on the country's elephant and rhino populations varied so wildly that they were plainly not trustworthy.

In a 20-page report, the group said that in July last year the government department of environmental affairs claimed there were 45 elephants in captivity in South Africa.

"This is approximately one-third of the real figure," ARA said, pointing out that the former minister of environmental affairs, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, had consistently stated over a number of years that there were 120 elephants in captivity in the country.

In June, the department told Parliament in writing that the Kruger National Park's elephant population -- a subject of considerable debate -- totaled 17,300.

This was at odds with "an authoritative" study by 60 scientists that put the park's elephant population at 12,427 at the end of 2006.

"The figure of 17,300 given to Parliament in June 2009 implies a 39 percent increase in under three years. South African National Parks are on record as saying they believe the elephant population is growing at the rate of six to seven percent per annum."

ARA said major anomalies on a much-watched species cast doubt on figures supplied on other animals.

"That such a serious mistake is made with one of the most in tensely examined animal species in the country draws into question data supplied on lesser known species."

Figures provided in recent years on the number of rhino in the country were equally contradictory and could have serious implications on the calculation of hunting quotas, the group said.

The number of white rhino was alternately put at 7,000 and 9,000.