Rangers have found the body of a suspected poacher 6km inside the Kruger National Park (KNP) after he and an accomplice allegedly entered the reserve unlawfully near Pafuri on Friday (September 11), reports the Lowvelder.

The discovery follows a report by the accomplice, who told authorities that the pair encountered a herd of elephants and fled in different directions. He later returned home and reported that the other man was missing, saying he had heard him screaming during the incident.

According to SANParks spokesperson JP Louw, information about the two suspected poachers was received on Saturday (September 12).

Community helps police arrest accomplice

The matter was reported to the SAPS and, with the assistance of the local community, the man who had returned home was arrested.

He admitted to participating in the unlawful entry and accompanied SANParks rangers from the Pafuri Ranger Post to the area where the incident occurred.

Rangers track missing man

Using information provided by the arrested man, rangers followed tracks from the Luvuvhu River for about 6km into the KNP, where they discovered the body of the missing man.

During the search, they also found the remains of a buffalo believed to have been illegally hunted.

The SAPS has been informed and will continue with the investigation and forensic processes.

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