South Africa: A poacher died crushed by an elephant and was devoured by lions

Another hunter hunted? Authorities
Kruger National Park, South Africa, announced that last week, an alleged rhinoceros poacher was crushed by an elephant before being eaten by lions.

The details of the event are unknown. A report from the Parks Department (
SanParks) notes that rangers and other researchers have found only a human skull and pants after receiving a complaint from the victim's family.

The case was revealed by the alleged accomplices of the victim, who explained to his family his death, crushed by a pachyderm on April 2, said a SanPark spokesman, Isaac Phaahla.

The family then warned the National Park management, who sent his "rangers" to search for the remains of the hunter but could only find one skull last Thursday. "The presence of a group of lions has been confirmed in the area and it looks like they have eaten up the remains of the victim," said Phaahla, explaining that badysts confirmed it.

According to the report, four people, the alleged companions of the victim, were imprisoned.

A widespread problem

Park Executive Director Glenn Phillips offered his condolences to the deceased's family and warned of the dangers of illegal hunting.

"Entering the Kruger National Park illegally is not safe, there are many dangers and this incident proves it," he said.

Phillips expressed sadness at seeing the girls' lamenting the loss of his father, and worse still, recovering very little of his remains.

Kruger National Park is one of the frequent targets of poachers, who are seeking rhino horns for sale at high prices in Asian countries. Horns are very popular in traditional medicine in countries such as China and Vietnam.

There are approximately 5,000 black rhinoceros on the African continent, of which about 1,900 are in South Africa. The country also has 20,000 white rhinos, 80% of the world's population. On Saturday, the Hong Kong airport authorities seized the largest amount of rhinoceros horn in five years, valued at $ 2.1 million.

With information from AFP