Eight held for rhino poaching

Friday, August 7, 2015

Pretoria – Eight people have been arrested for alleged rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park, says the South African National Parks (SANParks).

“In the first incident in the early hours of Wednesday, rangers conducting anti-poaching operations encountered three suspected poachers along the Crocodile River – south of the park,” SANParks said.

A shootout ensued during which one poacher was wounded. 

Two hunting rifles, silencers, ammunition and other poaching equipment were confiscated.

Later in the day, outside the park, a further five suspects were arrested in a joint operation between SANParks Rangers and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa has welcomed the arrests.

“Just a week after commemorating World Ranger Day, I want to again commend our rangers for their hard work together with other law enforcement units including the SAPS,” Minister Molewa said.

Since the beginning of the year, a total of 223 suspected poachers have been arrested in the country, of which 129 were arrested in the Kruger National Park. –SAnews.gov.za