A rhino poacher is believed to have been attacked by an elephant. Then eaten by a pride of lions in South Africa’s Kruger national park.
A skull and a pair of pants were the only remains found after.
Relatives of the victim, whose name has not been released, had notified park authorities after being informed by four others who were with him of his fate.
A search for his body turned up only scant evidence, but enough for officials to make an identification.
The general manager of communications, Isaac Phaahla 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.”
South Africa, which is home to almost 80% of the world’s rhinos, has been hit by poaching. More than 1,000 rhinos were killed by poachers each year in South Africa between 2013 and 2017. The number dropped to 769 for 2018, with poachers targeting the animal for its horn, according to Save the Rhino.
According to their website, poaching rhinos in Kruger national park is a major problem, because the price for their horns has skyrocketed to $27,000 a pound.
Last week’s incident is being investigated, and the four people who had been with the hunter are under arrest awaiting a court date.
