Suspected Rhino Poacher Killed By An Elephant Then Eaten By Lions, Report
Second poacher to be killed at Kruger National Park in space of a year
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A suspected rhino poacher has been killed after being trampled to death by an elephant, and his lifeless body eaten by lions, according to officials with South African National Parks.
The incident took place on Tuesday at Kruger National Park before the remains of the alleged poacher were recovered two days after the attack, park officials confirmed.
The victim's identity has yet to be released.
The national park's statement said:
"Indications found at the scene suggested that a pride of lions had devoured the remains leaving only a human skull and a pair of pants."
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According to the South African Police Service, the man was among a poaching group when he was attacked and killed.
But instead of reporting the incident, the poaching group dumped his body on a nearby road, so passers-by could find it before vanishing from the park.
A member of the poaching group informed the victims next of kin who then contacted authorities, according to police.
Authorities discovered a human skull and pieces of clothing during the search operation.
Managing executive of the park, Glenn Phillip, warned of the dangers entering the park illegally.
“Entering Kruger National Park illegally and on foot is not wise, it holds many dangers, and this incident is evidence of that," Phillips said in a statement.
"It is very sad to see the daughters of the deceased mourning the loss of their father, and worse still, only being able to recover very little of his remains.”
#sapsMP Komatipoort: A human skull found in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is believed to be that of a man reportedly killed by an elephant while poaching with his accomplices on 01/04; duo arrested, rifles & ammo seized. MEhttps://t.co/XXsXpJqTjA pic.twitter.com/4Oye38Eddh
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) April 6, 2019
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The victims family told authority that they learned of his death from his fellow alleged poachers.
But the accomplices who fled the scene were later arrested.
The remaining alleged poachers are being held in custody.
Park rangers were alerted by the man's family of his death.
Last year, a suspected big cat poacher was eaten alive by lions close to the Kruger National Park.
The lions devoured the poacher leaving little behind for evidence.
However, there were some body parts found near the game park near Hoedspruit.
"It seems the victim was poaching in the game park when he was attacked and killed by lions," Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe told AFP.
"They ate his body, nearly all of it, and just left his head and some remains."
