Harare - Game rangers in Zimbabwe killed three rhino poachers in an exchange of fire in the country's south-east, official media reported on Thursday.

The three were part of a group of poachers who resisted arrest after being confronted by rangers in the Chipangayi Safari Area early on Tuesday, said the Herald newspaper. Two other poachers were arrested while a sixth got away, it added.

A rifle, ammunition, knives, cellphones and a vehicle were also seized in the raid.

National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo told the paper that the poachers had been under surveillance and rangers were tipped off by an informant that the gang wanted to "enter the Chipangayi Safari area for the purposes of poaching rhinos".

Zimbabwe is battling to conserve its dwindling population of black and white rhinos. At least 14 have been killed so far this year.

Earlier this month a magistrate in the southern town of Masvingo sentenced two rhino poachers from neighbouring Mozambique to 21 years each in jail.

By SAPA