Pretoria – Four poachers have been arrested for allegedly shooting at a South African National Parks (SANParks) helicopter in the Kruger National Park, says the Department of Environmental Affairs.
During the arrest, law enforcement agencies confiscated three firearms, ammunition and poaching equipment.
On Wednesday, suspected poachers inside the Kruger National Park shot at the SANParks helicopter five times.
“The incidents took place in three separate sections of the southern part of the Kruger National Park, which has borne the brunt of poaching.
“Fortunately, quick action by all the team members involved averted a catastrophe and the helicopter managed to land with all the crew on board safe,” the department said.
Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa has congratulated SANParks and law-enforcement authorities for their sterling work.
"That the suspects were so swiftly apprehended is a sign that our integrated approach to battling rhino poaching is working," Minister Molewa said.
She said the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros Approach, which was announced by Cabinet in 2014, continues to yield results in the fight against poaching.
“We are proud of the work done by our rangers, the management and leadership of SANParks as well as all law enforcement agencies, particularly at the Kruger National Park,” Minister Molewa said.
In the first four months of this year, 363 rhinos were poached in South Africa and of these, 232 were killed in the Kruger National Park.
"We retain utmost confidence in law enforcement agencies and our counterparts in Mozambique and elsewhere to successfully stop the activities of the criminal elements behind poaching," she said. – SAnews.gov.za
