Rhino hits rangers in poaching arrest

2010-10-15 22:25

Mbombela - Two Kruger National Park rangers were injured this week when they were hit by a rhino as they tried to arrest a group of poachers, SANParks said on Friday.

The rhino, which was being hunted by the group, "accidentally ran into the field rangers" during the operation, spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa said in a statement.

"The field rangers are currently being treated for their injuries which fortunately are not life threatening."

She said the rangers confronted three poachers on Thursday after they had entered the park from Mozambique.

One man was arrested and a rifle seized. His accomplices fled and were being sought.

Mkutshulwa said the arrest came two days after a poacher was shot dead and another wounded in the park. He was under police guard at hospital.

A rifle, cellphone and ammunition were found on the dead man.

Since the beginning of the year, 232 rhino had been poached throughout South Africa, 104 of them from Kruger National Park.

A total of 119 alleged poachers had been arrested, 45 of them in the park.

- SAPA