RETIRED rangers will stand in for striking rangers at Kruger National Park, the park said this week.

Spokesman William Mabasa said the park had been temporarily assisted by the police and defence force.

It had now started recruiting retired staff and other trained rangers to work during the strike.

He said the park had no intention of dismissing the striking workers, who were not represented by a union.

Workers have demanded equal salaries across the board. They believe employees in similar positions should earn equal salaries regardless of varying years of experience or training.

"You can't have exact salaries . there will be variety," said Mabasa.

He said the tourism sector of the park had not been interrupted and it was business as usual.

". we appreciate that the striking workers have not been intimidating anybody, but we are concerned about rhino poaching."