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South Africans protest over killing of suspected poacher
JOHANNESBURG – The shooting of a suspected poacher by rangers in South Africa’s biggest wildlife park set off protests by villagers living nearby, forcing officials to advise tourists to avoid one of the park’s gates and seek alternative routes in and out of the reserve.
William Mabasa, spokesman for South Africa’s parks service, said Friday that residents of the village of the suspected poacher had used stones, branches and burning tires to block a road 12 miles (20 kilometres) from Kruger National Park.
Mabasa says residents have staged protests since the Aug. 3 shooting and tourists are being asked to avoid the park’s Paul Kruger gate Saturday.
Parks officials are negotiating with relatives of the dead man. Kruger park has been heavily targeted by poachers who kill rhinos for their horns.
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