Four suspected poachers were arrested over the weekend in the Kruger National Park.
‘The four were arrested along the Pretoriuskop and Skukuza road. A heavy calibre rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were confiscated,’ said Ike Phaahla, spokesperson for Kruger National Park.
Four suspects were arrested this afternoon. Heavy caliber rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment seized. Good work by Ranger Services, Air-wing Protection Services and Concession partners. We’ll done to all 👏👏👏
— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) March 21, 2020
According to Phaahla, ‘Further investigations are ongoing.’
Since the beginning of the year there have been a total of 11 arrests of suspected poachers (the number include the latest four arrests) within the park.
According to a report by Times Live, the ministry of environment, forestry and fisheries released a report in February ‘which noted a decline in the incidents of rhino poaching.’
In South Africa in 2018, 769 rhino were poached for their horn. In 2019, 594 were killed by poachers.
Image: Jon Mountjoy
