The deceased was a career criminal wanted by INTERPOL.
Career criminal Lucky Maseko, responsible for the deaths of at least ten rhinos in two years, has reportedly been shot dead by Swaziland police.
Maseko was listed on INTERPOL for environmental crimes, and also wanted by South African authorities for attempted murder.
As of this writing, Maseko can be seen here on the INTERPOL website.
According to the Times of Swaziland, Maseko was one of three rhino killers taken out after firing on Swazi police.
The incident occurred last Wednesday, following the killing of a white rhino in Hlane Royal National Park.
Two rhino horns, a .303 long range rifle, a .22 long range rifle, and 17 live rounds of ammunition were recovered.
In September 2010, Maseko was arrested – while out on bail – in South Africa near Mpumalanga, for involvement with several rhino killings.
At the time of his September 2010 arrest, Maseko was also wanted for abduction and attempted murder.
The demand for illegal rhino horn has claimed the lives of three rhinos in Swaziland this year. Prior to last week’s tragedy, a mother rhino was shot and her orphaned calf later died.
Image #1: © iStockphoto
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