Suspected poacher shot in Kruger Park

2010-11-22 21:55

Johannesburg - A suspected poacher was shot and killed by rangers in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks said on Monday.

Rangers were patrolling the park at about 19:20 on Sunday night when they came across three men, spokesperson William Mabasa told Sapa.

"What alerted them (rangers) was that the animals were running in the opposite direction away from something.

"When the rangers went to investigate what had scared the animals they saw three men running behind them," Mabasa said.

"When they called for the men to stop they (the men) started shooting at the rangers and the rangers shot back."

One of the three men was shot during the shootout, he said.

Rangers called an ambulance but by the time paramedics got to the scene, the man was already dead.

The other two men managed to get away but rangers and the police were still looking for them.

Mabasa said the men were suspected poachers but they were not sure what animals they were looking for.

- SAPA