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SA National Parks says seven suspected poachers were killed in clashes with park rangers in Kruger National Park this past weekend.
Sanparks spokesperson, Reynold Thakuli, says so far this year 46 rhino carcasses were found in Kruger, which continues to bear the brunt of the poaching scourge.
He told Algoa FM News that this past weekend alone during the full moon, there were four armed contacts between rangers and suspected poachers.
Thakuli says the death of the poachers brings to 11 the number of poachers killed in clashes with rangers so far this month.
During these incidences two suspected poachers were arrested and eight firearms recovered.
Officer Commanding of the Rangers Corp, Major General Johan Jooste is optimistic that his well thought out long term strategy will bear fruits.
“We brought down the level of poaching incidents last year to 42.6% from 72.6% the previous year, we have also arrested 123 individuals in connection with poaching activities, it is now up to the prosecuting teams, investigators and the SAPS to conclude what we have started." says Jooste
