News24 | Body of suspected rhino poacher found morning after shootout in Kruger National Park

The body of a suspected poacher was found in the Kruger National Park over the weekend.

• The body of a suspected poacher was found in the Kruger National Park over the weekend.
• It is suspected that he was killed during a shootout with field rangers the previous night.
• Rangers returned to the scene to continue the search for the alleged poachers and it was during this time that they discovered a dead body with a gunshot wound.

The body of a suspected rhino poacher has been found in the Kruger National Park.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the body was found in the game reserve on Saturday morning, “and it is suspected that he could have been shot during a shootout with field rangers the previous night, around 21:00”.

Ndubane said three field rangers were on patrol at Nwari block on Friday night when they came into contact with three suspected poachers.

“The rangers ordered them to stop, but the suspected poachers responded by opening fire at the rangers,” he said.

The rangers returned fire and the alleged poachers ran into the dark.

Due to poor lighting, the rangers abandoned their pursuit.

“The next morning, the rangers returned to the scene to further conduct the search for the alleged poachers whilst patrolling the surrounding areas. It was during this time that they discovered the lifeless body of a male person with a gunshot wound at the Lower Sabie region of the park, lying on the ground. There was also a backpack next to him,” Ndubane said.

Inside the backpack, two Rhino horns were found.

Police were notified, and paramedics certified the man dead.

“An investigation is under way. The man has not yet been identified. The other two suspected poachers are still at large,” said Ndubane.

Last month, a suspected poacher was shot dead, and another was arrested during a shootout with rangers who caught them trespassing at the Kruger National Park’s Satara area.

One of the men was carrying a firearm. When rangers ordered them to stop, he opened fire and a shootout ensued.

Police recovered a hunting rifle, five live rounds of ammunition, an axe, a knife, and two cellphones from the scene.