Three suspected poachers were trying to flee the rangers in Kruger National Park when they encountered a herd of elephants, the statement said.
When the suspects realized they were being chased, they “ dropped an ax and a bag with their provisions ” and ran away from the rangers, the statement said.
“The Rangers discovered that his accomplice had been badly trampled and sadly succumbed to his injuries. The third suspect is said to have been injured in the eye but continued to flee. A gun was found and the case was referred to the police, who along with it. pathology team attended the scene, “the statement continued, looking for the third suspect.
Gareth Coleman, Kruger National Park Director, urged those living in the area to assist with any information, saying, “We are proud of the teamwork and dedication of our Rangers Corp, our pilots and the K9 Unity. Life was unnecessarily lost. Only through discipline, teamwork and tenacity will we be able to turn the tide of rhino poaching in KNP. “
“The campaign against poaching is the responsibility of all of us; it threatens a lot of livelihoods, destroys families and requires much-needed resources to fight crime that can be used for job creation and development,” he said.
In a separate incident the following day (Sunday), three more suspected poachers in possession of a high caliber shotgun, poaching equipment and ammunition were arrested in Kruger National Park.
Coleman said in a statement released by the park and emailed to CNN on Monday, “ We hope these arrests send a strong message to the poachers that we are more than determined to stop them from protecting the survival of our rhino. to ensure. types.
“We have strategies in place to make sure we win this campaign. The arrests are a good boost for the morale of our men and women at the forefront of the anti-poaching campaign.”