Britain’s Prince Harry has been on a private visit to South Africa’s flagship wildlife park, where poachers have killed rhinos in record numbers and clashed with rangers.
South Africa’s national parks service provided the Prince with “exposure” to its conservation work, including efforts against rhino poaching, during his visit to the Kruger National Park, the service said in a statement e-mailed on Thursday to The Associated Press.
“This exposure does not include operational activities involving engagements with poachers,” the statement said. It said the parks service does not involve “guests, civilians or VIP guests” in such operations and that only rangers and other law enforcement officials participated in actions against suspected poachers.
‘Not involved in arrests’ The parks service said media reports that Prince Harry was involved in the arrest of eight suspected poachers on August 5 were false. They were detained in two separate operations at the Kruger Park, one of which involved a fire-fight in which one suspect was wounded, parks officials said last week.
“We do from time to time make presentations or provide exposure to individuals or groups who we believe can provide support in the fight against wildlife crime,” the parks service said in reference to Prince Harry.
To spend 3 months on conservation projects Kensington Palace said June 19 that the Prince had ended his army career and would spend three months on conservation projects in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana.
The Prince’s activities will include joining “a team of rangers who are the first to respond to reports of poaching attacks on elephants and rhino,” the palace said. It did not specify the location.
