Rangers of private concession within KNP busted with rhino horn
Three rangers of Shishangeni Private Lodge, a private concession within the park, removed the horns and smuggled it out of the park
KOMATIPOORT – It became apparent again this week that nobody can be trusted in the war against rhino poaching.
SANParks rangers unfortunately had to arrest three of their colleagues in conservation after they removed the horns of a rhino that had died of natural causes and smuggled it out of the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Wednesday.
However, their arrests came thanks to a colleague who overheard them scheming and consequently alerted the relevant authorities.
The horns of all rhino that die in Kruger are removed and stored for safe keeping. The carcass of a rhino that had died of natural causes was discovered in the Crocodile Bridge section of the park on Wednesday morning. Three rangers of Shishangeni Private Lodge, a private concession within the park, removed the horns and smuggled it out of the park. A colleague who had overheard a conversation between them, realised that they were intending on selling the horns and alerted SANParks rangers.
The help of the SAPS was called in SANParks rangers and police officials tracked the suspects in Komatipoort where they were arrested. They had parked their vehicle at the railway line in town and apparently attempted to hide the horns when they realised they had been busted. However, investigators were able to retrieve the horns.
A fourth ranger of Shishangeni was apparently also arrested later that afternoon. The suspects are expected to appear in court today (Friday). Spokesmen for SANParks did not respond to enquiries at the time of going to press.
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