Three suspected poachers arrested in Kruger National Park
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed the arrests of three suspected poachers in the Stolznek Section of the Kruger National Park.
The trio were arrested on Tuesday after a dehorning team in the area spotted them.
This comes as South Africa continues to fight against an unprecedented wave of poaching, which has decimated the rhino population in the country.
In August, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy revealed that the statistics for the first six months of 2023 show 231 rhinos were gunned down nationally over this period.
SANParks spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said the suspects were found hiding in the bush.
“The K9 unit was deployed in the area with support from the SANParks Airwing. The suspects were found in possession of a hunting rifle fitted with a silencer, ammunition, and other poaching equipment.
“The South African Police Service and SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit attended to the scene to process the arrested suspects and to obtain ballistics and DNA to investigate if the three could be linked to other poaching incidents.”
The suspects are set to appear in court soon.
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