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Tourists on safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park have been urged to not share photos and selfies of rare wildlife on social media.

Experts have said poachers are using the geotagged locations from the photos and selfies to track and kill rhinos and elephants.

To combat this, officials at Kruger National Park are considering ‘jamming’ phone signals so that tourists cannot add locations to their photos.

Kruger National Park spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, told ABC News: “I think people would be shocked to know that their tips on sightings are being monitored by poachers.

“We are talking to experts to see what can be done to curb irresponsible behaviour. Cutting off the signal might end up being the answer.”

In the first half of 2019, 190 rhinos were lost to poaching in Kruger National Park and an estimated 8,889 black and white rhinos have been killed by poachers in South Africa between 2006 and 2018.

Elephant poaching has also been on the rise in the park, with 71 being killed in 2018 – an all-time high.

Working Wild’s Karen Trendler told ABC: “It’s mind-blowing how sophisticated these syndicates are. You’ll find some poachers who have several social media profiles, just to track posts about endangered wildlife.

“I’m not saying don’t take that once in a lifetime picture, but if you do, switch off your geotagging, don’t say when and where and what time the photo was taken. You never know what information you’re unwittingly passing along to someone with nefarious intent.”

Trying to get that all-important picture has resulted in several animal deaths over the past few months.

Three antelope were killed by speeding motorists in recent weeks and in November a giraffe was killed when it was hit by a minibus – also killing a Swiss tourist.

Phaahla added: “Until we can find a solution, we are calling for people to take their time, enjoy the scenery and peace and quiet and not rely on their phones to enhance their experience.”