Pretoria – Six suspected rhino poachers have been arrested, while one was wounded in a South African National Parks (SANParks) operation.
SANParks conducted an operation in the Stolsnek section of Kruger National Park (KNP), where rangers - with the help of the helicopter and dog units - nabbed three suspects. They recovered a firearm, ammunition and two freshly chopped off rhino horns.
In a second operation in the Phalaborwa section of the park, three more suspects were arrested and one was wounded. He is receiving medical attention under police guard. A rifle, ammunition and illegal hunting equipment were recovered.
SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said the arrests follow a full month of successful operations resulting in 28 suspected poachers being taken into custody during the month of April alone.
“The latest arrests bring the total for the year within the KNP to 62 arrests,” Thakhuli said.
He said SANParks, together with its partners the SA Police Service and SA National Defence Force, is focused on winning the war on rhino poaching at all costs.
“We will leave nothing to chance in protecting our rhino in this iconic park and in our other national parks,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
