Four suspected rhino poachers were shot dead and seven others were arrested over the weekend by South African law enforcement officials, authorities on Monday.

Three of the suspects were killed in the Kruger National Park on Saturday in a shoot-out with rangers, according to the South African National Parks (SanParks).

Three others in the group tried to escape but were arrested by the rangers, SanParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said.

In another operation at Crocodile Bridge in Mpumalanga Province, rangers shot dead the fourth suspect and arrested four others.

Rifles, ammunition and rhino poaching equipment were seized in the operations.

The deaths and arrests came as the country intensified its crackdown on rhino poaching, which has grown rampant, with the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa having increased to 587 since January 2013, according to the latest official update on rhino poaching statistics issued on Aug. 21.

Rhino poachers seem undeterred despite the intensified crackdown which has led to the arrests of 167 alleged rhino poachers during the period.

The government says it remains committed to fighting against rhino poaching through international cooperation. It has drawn up and negotiated a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with a number of countries, and is in negotiations with critical range states, such as Mozambique, from where it says most rhino poachers come to South Africa.

The two countries are working on a plan to build a fence along their borders to curb poaching. Endi

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