Three poachers were trying to flee guards in Kruger National Park when they came across a herd of breeding elephants, the statement said.
Once the suspects realized they were being pursued, “they dropped an ax and a bag with their supplies” and ran away from the rangers, the statement said.
“The rangers found their accomplices seriously trampled and unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. It is said that the third suspect was wounded in the eye, but continued to flee. A rifle was recovered and the case was sent to the police, who together with the pathology team participated on the spot “, the statement continued. A search for the third suspect is underway.
Gareth Coleman, executive director of Kruger National Park, urged those living nearby to support any information and said: “We are proud of the teamwork and dedication of Rangers Corp., our aviators and the K9 unit. It is unfortunate that life has been lost unnecessarily. Only through discipline, teamwork and tenacity will we be able to help stop the wave of rhino poaching in the KNP. “
“The anti-poaching campaign is everyone’s responsibility; it threatens many livelihoods, destroys families and takes resources to fight crime, which could be used to create jobs and development,” he said.
In a separate incident the next day (Sunday), three more poachers suspected of possessing a high-caliber hunting rifle, poaching equipment and ammunition were arrested in the Kruger National Park.
Coleman, in a statement issued by the park and sent to CNN on Monday, said: “We hope that these arrests will send a strong message to poachers that we are more than determined to stop them in their tracks to ensure the survival of our rhino species.
“We have strategies in place to make sure we win this campaign. The arrests are a good moral boost for our men and women who are leading the anti-poaching campaign.”