A 32-year-old poacher was shot and injured during a confrontation with field rangers in the Crocodile Bridge section of the Kruger National Park on the evening of Thursday, September 18 at around 20:00. According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, the incident followed the discovery of human tracks at around 07:30 that morning by field rangers on patrol. A follow-up operation was immediately launched, with rangers tracking the footprints toward the park's southern boundary throughout the day.