Two suspected poachers were arrested today, June 23, in the northern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) after park officials found snares and poison in their possession.

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A joint law enforcement operation that comprised the Kruger National Park Nxanatseni North Rangers, SANParks Air Services and the Greater Kruger Environment Protection Fund (GKEPF) led to the successful arrests.

SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw confirmed that no carcass was discovered in the vicinity, and it is suspected that the suspects were caught before any wildlife was killed. He added that poison is often used to lace carcasses and target predator species.

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“Wildlife poisoning remains a huge threat to our biodiversity assets, is a huge threat to our biodiversity assets, as it places species at increasing risk of diminishing their ecological role and extinction,” said SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court soon.