This week, two separate shootouts between field rangers from Kruger National Park (KNP) and alleged poachers have left multiple suspects dead, drawing attention to the ongoing battle against wildlife crime in one of South Africa’s premier conservation areas. The confrontations not only underscore the dangers faced by rangers but also highlight the grim reality of poaching syndicates that threaten the country’s rich biodiversity.
The first incident occurred on Friday, 21 March 2025, when rangers from SANParks’ Lower Sabie Section conducted a routine patrol near Skukuza. At approximately 15:00, they spotted two suspected poachers, who quickly fled into the nearby bushlands. After three hours of intensive tracking, the rangers encountered the suspects a second time at 18:15. According to a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Office of the Provincial Commissioner Mpumalanga, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the rangers, prompting a return of gunfire from the rangers.
In this confrontation, one suspect was fatally wounded, while the other escaped. Emergency medical personnel were called, but the injured individual died on the scene before any medical assistance could be rendered. A hunting rifle with two rounds of ammunition and a knife was recovered from the deceased suspect, whose identity is currently unknown. The Skukuza SAPS is now investigating the circumstances surrounding this deadly encounter.
This violent episode follows another similar clash that occurred earlier in the week, on Tuesday, 18 March, near the Malelane Gate. In this incident, field rangers encountered two alleged poachers, leading to a shootout. As in the first case, one poacher managed to flee while the other sustained injuries and later succumbed. Authorities also recovered a hunting rifle with ammunition from the deceased individual, who likewise remains unidentified.
Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, spokesperson for Mpumalanga SAPS, confirmed that both cases are under comprehensive investigation, although no arrests have been made as of yet. The persistent clashes indicate an alarming resurgence of poaching activities, further threatening the wildlife in the park and placing field rangers at significant risk.
While SANParks has yet to issue an official statement, the brutal nature of these incidents raises serious concerns regarding the efficacy of current protective measures against poaching. It is imperative for visitors and park-goers to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activities immediately, and refraining from engaging with potential poachers.