Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane says three field rangers were on patrol when they came into contact with three suspected poachers. The rangers ordered them to stop, but they responded by opening fire at the rangers who then fired back.
The alleged poachers are said to have run further into the dark, and the rangers abandoned their pursuit and returned to the camp.
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The next morning, the rangers returned to the scene in the Lower Sabie region of the park to search for the alleged poachers. While patrolling the surrounding area, they discovered the lifeless body of a male person with a gunshot wound. There was also a backpack next to him.
The Skukuza police were immediately notified.
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Two rhino horns were found inside the backpack. The deceased man has not yet been identified. The other two suspected poachers are still at large.
