Johannesburg, Apr 1 (IANS): Five people were killed when a South African Air Force (SAAF) helicopter crashed Saturday night, Xinhua reported Sunday.
The accident occurred when the A109 helicopter was on a routine patrol over the Kruger National Park in the northeastern Limpopo province, the SAAF reported. "It was part of the anti-poaching operation."
The Kruger park, the largest reserve in South Africa, is home to many endangered rhinos. However, some of the rhinos would be targeted and killed by poachers every month for smuggling of horns.
Due to poachers, the park authorities have requested the air force to use helicopters to combat them.
The cause of the Saturday's accident could not be immediately ascertained and an investigation had been launched.