A brave park ranger single-handedly apprehended a group of ‘five heavily-armed suspected rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) this weekend’.
The gang had five fresh rhino horns in their possession as well as a high-calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and other equipment used for poaching. Their vehicle has been impounded as part of the investigation.
The incident took place in the park’s Malelane region after an intelligence-driven operation.
General manager of communications for the KNP, Isaac Phaahla, expressed gratitude that the ranger was not hurt during the operation:
‘We are grateful for his braveness, but even more grateful that no harm came to him.
The arrests followed the discovery of two fresh rhino carcasses. The dead animals had been covered with grass and twigs to try and hide them from sight and delay their discovery,’
He also said that he was saddened that at least two rhino had been killed by these poachers, rather than them being caught before firing a single shot.
According to the Lowvelder News:
‘The section ranger immediately deployed his rangers around the area to look for possible suspicious vehicles.’
SOURCE: GETAWAY