Jungle Justice: Suspected Rhino Poachers Eaten by Lions in South African Reserve

A group of suspected rhino poachers may have been killed and eaten by a pride of lions after sneaking into a South African animal reserve. Officials who discovered the human remains say atleast two and possibly three people were attacked and devoured by a pride of lions earlier this week.

Staff at the Sibuya Game Reserve found what appeared to be human remains alongside tools typically used by poachers to kill rhinos and remove their horns, according to a press release from Nick Fox, the park's owner.

Fox said at least three poachers entered the reserve late Sunday night or early Monday morning, waking one of the park's anti-poaching dogs. The dog's handler heard a loud commotion coming from the lions and figured that's what set off the dog.

The next day when staff set off with guests on a tour of the reserve, they discovered an axe, a high-powered rifle and three pairs of shoes and gloves after which they called the police and an anti-poaching unit.

Sibuya reserve owner Nick Fox said in a statement on the reserve's Facebook page that the suspected poachers entered the reserve late on Sunday night or early on Monday morning.

"They strayed into a pride of lions - it's a big pride so they didn't have too much time," Fox told AFP news agency. "We're not sure how many there were - there's not much left of them."

Several lions had to be tranquilised before the remains could be recovered, Fox added.

South Africa is home to more than 80% of the world’s rhinos, whose population has been depleted by poaching for buyers in Vietnam and China, where rhino horn is coveted as an ingredient in traditional medicine.

Nine rhinos have already been killed this year, and over 1000 of them have been killed over the last decade.

There has been a rise in rhino poaching in Africa in recent years, to feed growing demand for rhino horn in parts of Asia. Rhino horn is believed to have aphrodisiac qualities in China, Vietnam and other South-east Asian countries.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2018 02:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).