Pretoria - A suspected rhino poacher was fatally wounded in the Kruger National Park during an anti-poaching operation on Saturday evening.
According to a statement issued by SANParks on Monday, Kruger National Park rangers made contact with three armed suspected rhino poachers at the Crocodile Bridge section of the park when a shoot-out ensued.
"One suspected rhino poacher was fatally wounded; another sustained gunshot wounds and is currently under police guard in hospital. The third suspect managed to escape," said SANParks.
A 375 hunting rifle and ammunition were recovered at the scene and police are investigating the matter.
Last week, the Department of Environmental Affairs said that 430 rhinos had been killed by poachers since the beginning of the year. A total of 258 had been killed in the Kruger National Park. - SAnews.gov.za
