Alleged poacher in hospital

November 15 2010 at 09:44am

Independent Newspapers

A rhino poaching suspect may not be able to walk again after being shot by police in Limpopo at the weekend, a police spokeswoman said on Monday.

“He is not appearing in court yet because he is still in hospital,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto.

“He was shot in the hip and he may not be able to walk again, so he may remain in hospital for some time to come.”

The man was arrested after a rhino was shot and killed on a farm in Naboomspruit at the weekend.

Otto said a farmer and his workers were patrolling the farm when they heard gun shots just after 5am.

“They went to investigate and they found a rhino dead after it had been shot...

“Our officers, together with the farmer and his workers searched (for the poachers) the whole day. A shoot-out ensued between the police and the suspects between 5pm and 6pm.

“One suspect was shot in the hip, he was arrested and taken to hospital. He is under police guard. The rest are still at large.”

At least 210 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year - up from a total of 122 poached last year.

Black-market demand for rhino horns has risen sharply as economic growth has spread through east and south-east Asia, where the horn is believed to have medicinal properties. - Sapa