Poaching - Kruger Park ranger arrested

2011-07-26 21:00

Pretoria - A Kruger National Park game ranger has been arrested in connection with alleged rhino poaching, SA National Parks (SANParks) chief executive Dr David Mabunda said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Mabunda said the ranger, who was arrested on Monday, had been linked to previous rhino poaching incidents in the park.

"Internal disciplinary and criminal processes against the ranger will run concurrently and we hope for a speedy trial and believe that justice will prevail," said Mabunda.

"Rangers are guardians and a key force in protecting these rhinos. Those who do not aspire to these values should be flushed out and brought to book."

A total of 131 suspected poachers have been arrested, 65 of them in the Kruger National Park, since January.

Fifteen suspected poachers have also been killed and nine have been injured in clashes with Kruger National Park rangers since the start of the year.

So far this year 227 rhino have been killed, 20 of them in July.

The ranger would appear soon in the White River Magistrate's Court in Mpumulanga, said SANParks spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa.


- SAPA