Rangers and other employees at the Kruger National Park (KNP) have signed a pledge to double their efforts to combat rhino poaching.
This comes after 12 suspected rhino poachers, including a police officer, were arrested and three rhino horns were confiscated in the park over the past five days.
The South African National Parks has made a major breakthrough after a group of three suspected poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park.
SANParks says one suspected poacher was shot and killed and three others injured after they exchanged fire with rangers.
SANParks spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, says high calibre rifles and three fresh rhino horns were also confiscated.
Phaahla says one of the suspects is a police officer based at the Skukuza camp, in Mpumalanga, and another is a former army commander from neighbouring Mozambique.
“One of the suspects has since been identified as a recently retired Freelimo commander who was arrested in full uniform. So we had another success and apprehension of three other suspects after our rangers, the K9 unit and the air wing traced the group for the whole day.”
Phaahla says rangers are determined to protect wildlife in the national park.
Kruger National Park spokesperson, William Mabasa, says the rangers and other employees at the park have now signed a pledge to increase their efforts in fighting rhino poaching.
“Seriously we would like to congratulate our rangers for the sterling job that they are doing especially having signed the pledge last weekend following of that, we came up with such a huge success in terms of arresting these poachers. We commend the good work they are doing as they work under difficult conditions.”
Some of the suspects have already appeared in court on charges related to illegal poaching and possession of unlicensed fire arms.
The Mpumalanga police have referred the media queries to the national office, but they have not responded.
