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Elephants kill 'poacher' in South Africa

Kristin PalitzaAAP
Despite a global ban on ivory trade, tens of thousands of African elephants are killed each year.
Camera IconDespite a global ban on ivory trade, tens of thousands of African elephants are killed each year. Credit: AP

A suspected elephant poacher has been trampled to death by a herd of elephants in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, authorities say.

The man, along with two accomplices, was fleeing from park security officers when he fatally crossed paths with the elephants and their calves, South African National Parks said.

One of the accomplices was arrested while authorities continue to search for the third man, it said.

Park rangers recovered a rifle, an axe and a bag of supplies from the trio.

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An elephant at Kruger National Park.
Camera IconAn elephant at Kruger National Park. Credit: Richard Brisbane-Cohen

Despite an international ban on ivory trade, tens of thousands of African elephants are killed each year for their tusks.

There are an estimated 415,000 elephants left on the continent, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Kruger Park is one of South Africa’s major safari destinations and is one of the continent’s largest game reserves, known for its abundance of elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalo.

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