Two Rhino Poachers Were Eaten By A Pride Of Lions In South Africa

At least two rhinoceros poachers have been mauled to death and eaten by lions on a game reserve in South Africa, according to the reserve’s owner.

A ranger at the Sibuya Game Reserve discovered human remains near a pride of lions on Tuesday afternoon while taking guests on a safari drive.

“Judging from the shoes and items found on the scene, I suspect it is about two or maybe three who were killed,” Sibuya owner Nick Fox told local news outlet The Herald Live.

“I went to investigate together with the anti-poaching unit. Because it was too dangerous to get out of the car, we could not examine the scene as the lions were close-by. What we did see is the rifle on the ground as well as food, mainly bread, scattered everywhere.

“Human remains were also clearly visible.”

According to Fox, police later found three pairs of shoes and gloves, along with an axe and wire cutters.

“They were obviously poachers,” said Fox. “The axe that was found on the scene is what is used by these poachers to hack off the horn after they kill the animal.”

More than 1000 rhinos were killed in South Africa last year.

In a seperate interview with BuzzFeed News, Fox said poaching was a “massive problem” given that “rhino horn has now become more valuable than gold per gram”.

“I just thank my lions,” he added. “They saved our rhinos from another onslaught.”

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Feature image via Flickr.

This article was originally published on Junkee.