Africa Wild

7/12 - Punda Maria - during a joint stop and search of vehicles moving in and out of the park, 3 suspects transporting two cut up tusks weighing approximately 80 kgs to Moz, were arrested. A fourth suspect, who alledgedy found and illegally picked up the tusks from a carcass close to Punda Maria, was later followed up and arrested - 3 of the suspects have thus far made confessions - investigations are continuing and all efforts are being made to locate the carcass which is believed to have died of natural causes.

SANParks can confirm that rangers in the Phalaborwa section of the KNP shot dead a charging elephant in an effort to protect themselves. The incident happened on Monday, 9 December 2013 at approximately 16:00. According to reports, a herd of elephants was charging at traffic officers on duty 3 kilometres from the Phalaborwa gate. The ranger who had been on guard fired warning shots to scare away the animals in which most moved away with the exception of the one elephant which was unfortunately shot dead.

It is common practice to try and fire warning shots to scare the animal before any other step is taken. In this instance human life was in danger and rangers had to act quickly as the animal could have attacked even more people. SANParks would like to render an apology to the public who have witnessed the incident or exposed to it via photographs on various platforms.

Flutterby wrote:It does seem as if elephant poaching has started in Kruger!

From SANParks FB page:

7/12 - Punda Maria - during a joint stop and search of vehicles moving in and out of the park, 3 suspects transporting two cut up tusks weighing approximately 80 kgs to Moz, were arrested. A fourth suspect, who alledgedy found and illegally picked up the tusks from a carcass close to Punda Maria, was later followed up and arrested - 3 of the suspects have thus far made confessions - investigations are continuing and all efforts are being made to locate the carcass which is believed to have died of natural causes.