Elephant encounter leaves suspected poacher dead in Kruger

A suspected poacher was found dead inside the Kruger National Park after an alleged illegal entry into the park ended with an encounter with a herd of elephants.

The incident was reported to Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers on Saturday, 12 September, following information about two men who had allegedly entered the park illegally through the Pafuri area the previous day.

According to preliminary information, the two suspects became separated after encountering elephants while inside the park.

One suspect returned home

The two men reportedly fled in different directions during the encounter and lost contact with each other.

One of the suspects later returned home and told others that his accomplice was missing. He reportedly said he had heard the other man screaming during the incident.

The matter was then reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), with local community members assisting authorities in locating one of the suspects.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and admitted to being involved in the unlawful entry into the national park.

He later accompanied SANParks rangers from the Pafuri Ranger Post to the area where the incident was believed to have taken place.

Rangers follow tracks into the park

The search led rangers from the Luvuvhu River approximately six kilometres into the park.

It was there that they found the body of the missing suspect.

During the search, rangers also came across the remains of a buffalo believed to have been illegally hunted.

The discovery has added a further suspected poaching element to an incident that began with the reported unlawful entry into the park.

SAPS investigation to continue

SAPS has been informed of the discoveries and will continue with the necessary investigative and forensic processes.

At this stage, the available information remains preliminary, with the investigation expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and the suspected illegal hunting of the buffalo.

The incident highlights the circumstances rangers can encounter when responding to suspected unlawful activity inside the country’s protected areas, where encounters with wildlife can carry serious consequences.

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Source: Kruger National Park