Kruger National Park Police believe they have cracked a rhino poaching syndicate following the arrest of three suspects in possession of two rifles and four freshly harvested Rhino horns.

The park says rangers who were on a routine patrol came across suspicious tracks south east of the park - and shortly thereafter gunfire was heard. An investigation team was then dispatched to the area. Further investigation led to the arrests. In the past two years, poachers have killed a total of 94 animals, including 20 white rhino, in the Kruger National Park, SA's largest game reserve which covers 18 989 km².

The park is home to about 5 000 rhinos. Besides natural causes, poaching is the biggest threat to this population. The most obvious distinguishing characteristic of the rhinos is a large horn above the nose. Rhinoceros horns, unlike those of other horned mammals, consist of keratin only and lack a bony core, such as bovine horns. Rhinoceros horns are used in traditional Asian medicine, and for dagger handles in Yemen and Oman.

Last year, about eight rhinos were killed at the conservatory. In South Africa both the black and white rhino are on the endangered list and authorities are doing their best to conserve them.

Last year a suspected poacher was killed in the Kruger National Park following a shoot out with rangers and Park authorities say more arrests are imminent. The arrested suspects will appear in court next week.

Last week, the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the iSimangaliso Authority offered a R20 000 reward for information leading to arrests and a successful conviction of those responsible for killing three white rhino. The animals were killed in the remote Tewate area on the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The two organisations say although the rhino were only found last week, the state of the carcasses indicate that the animals were shot some weeks ago and had their horns removed. The organisations and the police are investigating the incident.

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