Five Rhinos Killed in the Kruger National Park, Three Poachers Arrested.

24/04/2008 12:14:18 March 2008. A routine ranger patrol from Tshokwane found suspicious tracks while on patrol. Shortly after the rangers found the tracks, gunfire was heard and the field rangers reported this. A team from CIS flew into the area by helicopter and, combined with the Tshokwane rangers; this team quickly located and arrested three poachers.

The carcasses of two white rhino cows were discovered nearby and further investigation showed that these animals had been shot earlier that day. Footprints in the area suggested the presence of a calf, the carcass of which was found. The calf had been killed by lions.

The ranger team confiscated two rifles and four freshly harvested rhino horns.

The Kruger National Park (KNP) Managing Executive Dr Bandile Mkhize praised the quick reaction of a Kruger National Park (KNP) anti-poaching team.

‘We are proud of the combined team made up of Tshokwane Rangers, SANParks Corporate Investigation Services (CIS) and SANParks Air Services who all contributed to the successful arrest of these poachers,’ he said. ‘We believe that this is truly a despicable act and hope for a speedy trial where we trust that justice will prevail.’