A 32-year-old man suspected of poaching is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound in the Kruger National Park, in Mpumalanga.

It is alleged that the man was wounded in a confrontation between he and another suspected poacher and field rangers in the Crocodile Bridge section of the park.

The rangers were patrolling the area when they encountered the two suspects. One of the suspects reportedly aimed a rifle at the rangers, prompting them to fire in self-defense.

Police Spokesperson, Thulisile Magagula, says one suspect was shot and wounded, while the other managed to escape into a nearby sugarcane field.

Magagula says the suspect will appear in the Masoyi Periodical Court as soon as he is declared medically fit.

#sapsMP A poacher (32) was shot and injured during a confrontation with field rangers in the Crocodile Bridge section of the Kruger National Park on 18/09
The injured suspect was found in possession of a backpack containing two rhino horns and a knife.The second suspect fled the… pic.twitter.com/LUsqdD049c

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 20, 2025

Two suspected rhino poachers have been shot and killed in the Kruger National Park’s Sabie Sands in Mpumalanga.https://t.co/Be6WHEb3Oc pic.twitter.com/CvUKam4eyW

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 14, 2025

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