One alleged poacher was killed and two suspects arrested in a shoot-out in the Crocodile Bridge section of Kruger National Park (KNP) on May 10, 2012. A team, comprising members of the South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental Crime Investigators and rangers, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF), found two dehorned rhino carcasses, which led to the operation. The team also recovered four fresh rhino horns, a hunting rifle and an axe.
"It is unfortunate that we could not save the rhino cow and calf in time but we are convinced that with the increased measures we have in place, the poachers are feeling the pressure and our concerted efforts are not in vain as the number of poaching arrests continues to rise", said SANParks' acting head of communications, Paul Daphne.
Since January this year, 130 rhino have been killed in the KNP and a total of 31 suspected poachers have been arrested in the KNP.
Learn about the latest Rhino Poaching statistics in Kruger Park.
