A poacher has been killed in a shoot-out with a patrol that included Kruger Park rangers
South Africa is grappling with a surge of rhinos being killed for their horns, which are worth more than their weight in gold due to rising demand in Asia where they are used in traditional medicine.
Police said in a statement on Friday the poacher was killed in a shoot-out with a patrol that included park rangers, police and the South African military.
“The team also recovered four rhino horns, a hunting rifle and an axe from the poachers,” the statement said.
Since January of this year, more than 210 rhinos have been killed by poachers in South Africa, with 130 in Kruger alone, according to official data.
If current rates continue, at least 600 rhinos will be poached this year, far more than the 448 killed in 2011. — Reuters