Rhino hunter killed by elephant, eaten by lions in South Africa

[Comet]

The tragic incident marks a rare victory for the South African wildlife that has been hit hard by poachers. ─ AFP
A suspected rhino poacher was trampled to death by an elephant and his body devoured by lions in South Africa's Kruger National Park, officials said Monday.

South African rangers have recovered the skull of the man in the vast Kruger sanctuary, which has born the brunt of much of the country's poaching crisis.

According to a park spokesman, rangers were alerted after the victim's alleged accomplices told his family that he had been crushed to death by an elephant.

The man's remains were discovered on Thursday after a two day search involving aircraft and rangers on foot, with the help of the victim's accomplices.

“Our field rangers looked around the area and made the unfortunate discovery of a skull. That was the only remaining part of the deceased,” Kruger national park spokesman Isaac Phaahla told AFP.

He said a pride of lions was thought to have been in the area and were believed to have devoured the man's remains.

“But the family were grateful that at least they have the bone to go and bury and they know what happened,” Phaahla said.

Read: Poachers may wipe out rhinos in S. Africa, campaigner warns

Four of the man's accomplices have since been arrested and are expected to appear in court this week.

The demand for rhino horn has placed Africa at the epicentre of a global poaching and trafficking crisis.

South Africa, which is home to about 80 percent of the world rhino population, has been hit hardest, with much of the poaching concentrated on the Kruger park.

In 2018, 769 rhinos were poached in South Africa alone, according to the country's environment ministry. More than 7,100 animals have been killed over the past decade.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1474761/rhino-hunter-killed-by-elephant-eaten-by-lions-in-south-africa



Are the animals waking up and joining forces against human brutality?

 

[denel]

good. in Botswana it is shoot on sight to poachers.

 

[BDforever]

“But the family were grateful that at least they have the bone to go and bury and they know what happened,” Phaahla said.

 

[waz]

good. in Botswana it is shoot on sight to poachers.

My thoughts as well, African wildlife teaming up here.
Well done to 'Alpha' team consisting of staff sergeant elephant and the heroic lion infantry.

I hope he was still alive when the lions ate him. The Africans plains are very dangerous, regardless of whether you are armed.

 

[scorpionx]

Crushed by elephants, devoured by lions. Good riddance. Perfect justice.

 

[denel]

My thoughts as well, African wildlife teaming up here.
Well done to 'Alpha' team consisting of staff sergeant elephant and the heroic lion infantry.

I hope he was still alive when the lions ate him. The Africans plains are very dangerous, regardless of whether you are armed.

yes it happened with us a few years back; left my friend's farm for a long walk in the dirt path; fortunately we saw pride of lions out of nowhere resting. went back.

 

[R Wing]

Apparently the poachers on the ground are typically very poor locals who try to support their families by accepting attractive sums of money by rich people around the world. It doesn't justify the act, of course --- but I hope the rich backers/sponsors lounging in their mansions also get eaten.

 

[SecularNationalist]

good riddance and hats off to the elephant and lions
Instant karma

 

[El Sidd]

Animals all over the world have called for Jihad against poachers.

Meerkat bin Laden ordered this attack.

 

[Sabretooth]

Human has only been out of the jungle for 20,000 years and has already forgotten his/her place in the food chain.