The South African National Parks (SANParks) could not confirm claims that the royal family member Prince Harry was part of the rangers who were involved in a shootout with poachers last week.
This after UK publication, Daily Mail, reported that the prince flew into the country last week and had been going on night patrols with an army unit as part of the government’s anti-poaching campaign.
Daily Mail reported that Prince Harry was involved in a shootout with poachers when SANParks arrested eight rhino poachers in Kruger National Park last Wednesday.
SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said they would issuing out a statement soon regarding the claims.
Last Wednesday, rangers conducting anti-poaching operations encountere three poachers along the Crocodile River in the early hours of the morning.
“A shootout ensued during which one poacher was wounded,” Thakhuli said.
He said all three poachers were arrested while two hunting rifles, silencers, ammunition and other poaching equipment were confiscated.
Later that day, a further five poachers were arrested outside the park.
The prince and his older brother, Prince William, are both staunch supporters of the protection of rhino in the wild, since the London Declaration in March 2014. He supports the anti-rhino poaching campaign called Operation Corona.
According to sister publication Lowvelder, Prince Harry was on an educational trip in South Africa on Friday, visiting the Care for Wild Africa.
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