KZN rangers searching for wounded poacher, three others
KZN Wildlife rangers are in search of a wounded suspected poacher as well as three others who are still at large.
Last Friday field rangers at an observation post at Mfabeni Game Reserve in KZN reported hearing gun shots being fired to the north of the Tewate Wilderness Area.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's Muso Mntambo says helicopters were dispatched and while flying over the area- two boats were spotted at the bank of the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia.
"As they were patrolling, at a distance, four poachers were observed walking towards the two boats. It was further noted that one poacher was carrying a gun. As the four poachers were about to push the boats back to the river, from a safe distance, one Field Ranger cautioned the poachers to surrender.
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“Unexpectedly the armed man began to shoot at the rangers who returned fire. During the shootout, the other poachers scattered while the shooter jumped into a river. The rangers ran towards where the suspects were and noticed a trail of blood.”
Mntambo says poaching is still rife in the area.
“Two months ago, a white rhino was poached, and its horns were stolen. Recently a newly poached hippo carcass was discovered about 1 km away from the current scene of the incident."
