KNP Rangers successfully arrest four poachers.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) today (Thursday, 25 July 2013) confirmed the arrest of four poachers in the iconic Kruger National Park (KNP) by the SANParks Special Forces and Rangers. The arrests took place in two different sections of the park amid latest statistics released yesterday of 321 rhinos having been poached in the park this year alone.
On Wednesday, 24 July, SANParks Rangers based in the Houtboschrand section of the KNP , made contact with a group of three poachers, a shootout ensued and one poacher was wounded and arrested at the scene, unfortunately the other two managed to escape back into Mozambique. A .458 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered.
On the same day in the Olifants Section, SANParks Rangers discovered an active poacher’s camp with empty food cans.
In the third incident early hours of today, a Special Operations team , supported by SANParks Rangers from Shangoni Section tracked down a group of suspected poachers and managed to arrest three who were in possession of two hunting rifles , an AK47 assault rifle with ammunition and an axe.
SANParks Special Operations Head, Major General Johan Jooste (RET) congratulated his members and reminded them that this is a battle we cannot afford to lose… “we are in the full moon period, there are huge numbers of incursions, spoor and many other poaching related activities that are keeping our members busy but we are confident that the gap is slowly closing in on the poachers.”
Jooste said that the cooperation with other anti-poaching units like the SAPS and the SANDF is improving daily and bearing the much needed results.
These latest arrests in the KNP bring the number of suspected poachers behind bars to a total of 67 since the beginning of the year.
Issued by: SANParks Corporate Communication, Tel: 012 426 5170
Media enquiries:
Ike Phaahla – Media Specialist, SANParks, Tel: (012) 426 5315 Cell: 083 673 6974 e-mail: isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org
Or
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli – General Manager: Media & Stakeholder Relations, SANParks, Tel: (012) 426 5203, cell: 073 373 4999, e-mail: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org
Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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