Four men were caught whilst trying to flee from the Imfolozi Game Reserve with two rhino horns. One of the men, thought to be an SANDF soldier, allegedly shot what was the nineteenth rhino to be killed by rhino horn poachers in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

This has been a major breakthrough for wildlife officials following a nationwide spate of rhino poaching. The breakthrough occurred when field rangers heard a single gun-shot ring out in the Makhamisa section of the Imfolozi Game Park.

At about 7pm they intercepted a vehicle with four men approaching from the direction of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. When the vehicle was inspected by torch light a .303 rifle was found and some of the men were seen to have bloodstains on their clothes. Further investigation revealed two freshly removed rhino horns and the four men were arrested.

Gaisford said an aerial reconnaissance had led to the discovery of a dehorned white rhino carcass near the north bank of the White Imfolozi River.

Of the 19 rhinos killed in Kwa-Zulu Natal this year, fifteen have been inf the protected areas managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the remaining four on private properties.

The majority of deaths have occurred in the Opathe Heritage Reserve near Ulundi.

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