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Three rhino poachers have been killed in a shootout with rangers in Kruger National Park.
Hawks spokesperson, captain Paul Ramoloko, says rangers heard a shot early on Wednesday night and went to investigate.
He says they confronted three Mozambican nationals and a shoot-out occurred.
"Three suspected poachers were fatally shot, one hunting rifle was recovered and a number of rounds of ammunition. At this stage we are not sure if a Rhino has been injured" he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Affairs say 188 rhino have been poached so far this year.
Spokesperson, Albie Modise, says 135 rhino were killed in the Kruger National Park.
He says 17 were poached in North West, 16 in Kwazulu Natal, and 10 each in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
