Missing Kruger Park anti-poaching team found safe after GPS failure

An anti-poaching team has been located in the Kruger National Park after they got lost in dense bush.

Two forensic police officers, a South African National Parks (SANParks) environmental investigator and a private helicopter pilot were deployed on Monday to the scene of a rhino carcass. 

After investigating, it is understood they struggled to find their way back to the helicopter, having lost GPS navigation.

A search and rescue operation was launched after they lost contact.

Preliminary reports suggest they had become disoriented in thick vegetation, having landed the helicopter in dense bush to allow them to investigate the rhino carcass. 

However, it was on their way back when complications arose.

"The GPS device ran out of battery power, resulting in the team being unable to relocate the helicopter. Efforts to re-establish contact with the crew were successful this morning,"  said SANParks spokesperson JP Louw.

Louw said aerial and ground search teams were dispatched to locate the investigators and they were found on Tuesday morning.