Eleven suspected rhino poachers were arrested in and around the Kruger National Park on Friday, January 13.

The first arrests took place in the Malelane area outside the park, where six suspects were taken into custody and a high-calibre firearm and ammunition were confiscated. A second South African Police Service operation in the Hazyview area, 57km outside the KNP resulted in the recovery of six rhino horns.

Inside the park, Satara Rangers managed to arrest three suspected rhino poachers in a follow-up operation and recovered a firearm, ammunition and poaching equipment. In the Stolsnek Section of the park, rangers arrested two suspects after discovering a freshly killed rhino carcass.

“The resultant arrests of 11 individuals in one single day is a good start to the year and will demonstrate to the crime syndicates that we are serious about ending this cruel attack on our heritage as a collective and are determined to protect our fauna and flora,” said Nicholus Funda, Chief Ranger in the Kruger National Park.