Skip to Content

08 June 2021

Media Release: KNP Anti-Poaching Teams Conclude May With Successful Arrests

The South African National Parks (SANParks) on 5 June 2021 announced further well-executed operations which led to the arrest of four suspected poachers on Sunday, 30 May 2021 in the Pretoriuskop Section and on Monday, 31 May 2021 in the Houtboschrand Section, both located in the South of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

On 30 May 2021, Rangers (with K9 support) responded to a visual of two poachers and made a follow up in pursuit of the suspected rhino poachers. The Airwing Unit was called in to support the ground teams, and soon thereafter two suspects were arrested without incident.

The following day, three tracks of suspected poachers were picked up by Rangers (with K9 support) who began following the tracks. They made contact with three suspects and during the contact, one suspect was fatally wounded. A lengthy follow-up ensued with the support of the Airwing Unit, making use of a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft as well as support from additional line K9s and free running hounds. This led to the eventual apprehension of the remaining two suspects.

During both operations, a high calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were seized.

All suspects were handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further handling and the suspects will appear in court in due course.

The KNP Head Ranger, Cathy Dreyer congratulated all those who were involved in the operations “We are proud of the teamwork and dedication of our Rangers Corp, our aviators and the K9 units, who execute our anti-poaching efforts in extremely difficult conditions. We are aware that poachers are currently targeting weekends for their misdeeds in the mistaken belief that rangers do not work during that time. Only through discipline, teamwork and tenacity will we be able to help stem the tide of rhino poaching in KNP and we have members of our teams in the field all day, all week, 24/7, who have vowed to protect and conserve our fauna and flora”.

Issued By

South African National Parks – Kruger National Park

Media Enquiries

Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications & Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363, Cell 083 673 6974 or email: [email protected]