Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers, were reportedly involved in a gun battle with suspected poachers in Chirisa Game Park in Gokwe which resulted in 2 suspected poachers getting killed in the shoutout, The Herald reports.
The incident was confirmed by the ZimParks spokesperson Tinash Farawo who said:
It is unfortunate that two suspected poachers were shot dead in Chirisa Game Park,” he said. “These are protected areas, and we have always been saying protected areas are no go areas, if we see you in a protected area we are left with no option. No one is allowed in these areas, and these people will be armed which leaves us with no option. Investigations are being done following the incident that happened at the Chirisa Game Park.
Farawo also took the time to warn poachers off and said they were using advanced technology like drowns to survey their parks:
We are making use of advanced technology to detect poachers. We are detecting more because we have employed technology and most of the incursions can now be seen just by the click of a button.
With the use of drones we are now better equipped to detect poachers, and we are also able to deploy appropriately if there are any incursions.
According to ZimParks, 5 poachers have already been killed this year and there have been 15 shootout incidences between park rangers and suspected poachers.
More: The Herald