Four poachers shot dead in SA parks

Durban - Four poachers were shot dead and one injured in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and the Hluhluwe-Mfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, officials said on Monday.

Three were shot dead during a gunfight between five poachers and rangers in the Stolsnek section of the Kruger National Park over the weekend, SABC news quoted SANParks CEO David Mabunda saying.

The fourth poacher was wounded and the fifth escaped.

An R5 rifle, ammunition and poaching tools were found on the scene.

Hluhluwe-Mfolozi Park spokesman Jeff Gaisford said: "Field rangers and members of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park anti-poaching unit shot dead a suspected poacher in an exchange of gunfire in the Makhamisa section of the park late on Saturday afternoon."

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff members heard three shots fired "fairly close" to them, went to investigate and spotted two suspected poachers.

Gaisford said one of the men was armed with an R1 rifle and opened fire on rangers, who shot back.

"In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the suspected poacher carrying the R1 rifle was shot dead and the other managed to escape, dropping a .303 rifle in the process."

No rangers were injured.

"The Ezemvelo group could not immediately locate a rhino carcass and the search was resumed by helicopter early on Sunday," said Gaisford.

"Staff are hoping that the suspected poachers may have missed the rhino altogether, but are continuing to monitor rhinos in the area in case an animal was wounded."

Gaisford said the carcasses of two dehorned black rhinos were found in Zibozini, in the Ophathe Game Reserve, on Friday.

"It was estimated that the animals had been shot three days previously. Both horns were missing and it is unclear whether these were removed by scavengers or poachers," he said.

Ezemvelo staff was helping the Richard's Bay organised crime unit in the cases.

- SAPA

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
Four poachers shot dead in SA parks

Durban - Four poachers were shot dead and one injured in the Kruger National Park
- SAPA

only four?

In baseball terms, we would say, "four runs, one error, and one man left on base".

Actually it is good that one escaped and one was wounded. They will go back to their villages and tell how the other poachers died in a hail of gunfire. You can't get better discouragement of poaching than to hear about the consequences first hand.

Another good idea would be to take pictures of the dead poachers and post them on the walls of public buildings in the poacher's home areas. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

what are R1 and R5 rifles?

R1 rifle is a 7,62 FN that was previously used by the SA military. The military now uses the R4 which is a .223 calibre. The R5 is also .223 (5,56mm) with a shorter barrel used by both SA special forces as well as the police.

4 down and thousands to go