Malalane - Two suspected rhino poachers were shot dead on Thursday during a shootout with rangers at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park, the SA National Parks said.
The rangers had come into contact with three men in the park on Thursday morning. A shootout ensued and one suspected poacher fled while the other two were shot, SANParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said in a statement.
A hunting rifle, a pair of horns and poaching equipment were seized.
In a separate incident, four men were arrested by the SA Police Service near the Malelane gate into the park also on Thursday.
A hunting rifle, nine rounds of ammunition and poaching equipment were seized.
“There is a strong suspicion that the group might be responsible for other poaching incidents in the KNP, including the rhino at Phabeni that was left alive after its horns were hacked off,” Phaahla said.
It was not immediately clear when the men would appear in court.
Sapa