Rhino Poaching 2016

[RogerFraser]

2 Poachers fataly wounded after being spotted by tourists

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Lesego Nko
25 mins
Two Poaching Suspects Fatally Wounded Following Tourist Sighting
A suspicious man wearing a black shirt armed with what looked like a heavy calibre hunting rifle was spotted by tourists walking in the Kruger National Park (KNP) today (13/01/2016), around the Napi section of the park.
This according to KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips, who confirmed that after at least two sets of visitors informed the authorities about this suspect, a helicopter with the assistance of the K9 Specialised dog unit was deployed to attend to the matter.
He said in the subsequent search by Rangers it appeared that the man was not alone, as he was found with a second suspect in the bush. “As the Rangers ordered the men to surrender they opened fire and a shoot-out ensued with Rangers, in which both suspects were fatally wounded and a high calibre hunting rifle was recovered.”
According to Phillips the matter is now under Police investigation and surveillance of the area is continuing to determine if any animals were killed or if there are more suspects in the vicinity.
Phillips also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the visitors in reporting the matter and encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious individual seen in the Park to the nearest camp or to call the KNP’s emergency numbers on 013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679.
Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department - Kruger National Park.
Enquiries:
William Mabasa, GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org
Reynold Thakhuli: Acting Head of Communications, SANParks. Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999; Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

[Mel]

Well, well, well... I find this all a bit strange... not necessarily in the sense that I didn't believe the story,
but poachers walking around in a high density tourist area in broad daylight... Not very clever... luckily.

[Flutterby]

They are becoming bolder by the day!!

[Bushcraft]

Soon tourists are going to get involved in one of these incidents What then

[PRWIN]

Soon tourists are going to get involved in one of these incidents What then

Also not sure if it was a good move by SP to have publish this, I think it has opened a whole new ball game for tourists and poachers when they are spotted

[Richprins]

The incident reported here too, but no mention of date or another set of visitors reporting it...

Not sure how visitors can be walking in the Park unescorted?


http://lowvelder.co.za/310018/suspected ... ed-in-knp/


Does sound a bit strange, and rare to have a full report out on the same day...maybe it's the incident bambazonke was talking about re. the Telegraph in Britain?

[bambazonke]

Seems strange, however

[okie]

Not sure how visitors can be walking in the Park unescorted?


http://lowvelder.co.za/310018/suspected ... ed-in-knp/

Probably just a turn of phrase , RP . The visitors saw the man walking in the park

[Richprins]

Aha!

[Toko]

http://lowvelder.co.za/310570/knp-poachers-shot/

Poachers threaten tourism
An informed source said the arrogance of the poachers has become a concern.
7 hours ago

MBOMBELA – The threat to tourists visiting the Kruger National Park (KNP) has just become a reality after two poachers were killed on Wednesday. A heavily armed man was spotted by visitors in the Napi area and they immediately reported it to park authorities. The KNP reacted immediately and its forces were deployed to the scene.

According to the park’s executive manager, Mr Glen Phillips, the tourists reported seeing this man walking in the the park on Wednesday night. A helicopter and the police’s K9 specialised dog unit were deployed to the scene. “Rangers found the man with a second suspect in the bush.

“As the rangers ordered the men to surrender, they opened fire. A shoot-out ensued with rangers in which both suspects were fatally wounded.”

“A high-calibre hunting rifle was recovered,” said Phillips. Lowvelder obtained information that more than five poachers had been killed since December.”

Phillips didn’t want to officially comment as he still had to wait for the final statistics to be released. He denied having knowledge of an incident where the poachers opened fire on the anti-poaching helicopter a few weeks ago. He claimed that “a ranger fired a shot from the helicopter and a shell ricocheted against its blade. The helicopter incurred no damage, however.”

An informed source said the arrogance of the poachers has become a concern. Phillips confirmed that they posted a threat to the safety of the park’s visitors.

“Our greatest fear is being confronted by a tourist-poacher incident,” he told Lowvelder yesterday. “We can’t exclude the possibility of one of them hijacking a tourist or even a hostage situation.” He acknowledged the increasing ferocity with which poachers had been pursuing their goals.

“They’ve become more experienced in their field,” Phillips said. In light of these realisations, KNP rangers have been tackling the war on poaching with full force. More than a handful of poachers recently paid for their crimes with their lives.

He expressed appreciation for the visitors’ assistance in reporting the suspicious man. This is not the first time that poachers had been walking in an area frequented by tourists.

Last April a similar scenario played out near the park’s Phalaborwa Gate. Phillips said they had response plans in place to combat any threat to the safety of the park and its visitors. “We’re ready for any situation. We have to be,” he said.