Rhino Poacher Killed by Elephant, Then Devoured By Lions
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
A suspected rhinoceros poacher was met with an especially brutal death at a South African game reserve.
Authorities said a man was hunting a rhino with four accomplices in Kruger National Park when he was reportedly killed by elephants and then eaten by lions. A skull and a pair of pants were the only remains discovered by a search team.
“Indications found at the scene suggested that a pride of lions had devoured the remains,” the park service said.
#sapsMP Komatipoort: A human skull found in the Kruger National Park (KNP) is believed to be that of a man reportedly killed by an elephant while poaching with his accomplices on 01/04; duo arrested, rifles & ammo seized. MEhttps://t.co/XXsXpJqTjA pic.twitter.com/4Oye38Eddh
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 6, 2019
The man’s family was initially notified of his gruesome fate by those who were with him when he died. All four accomplices are in custody and awaiting a court date. Two had rifles and large-caliber ammunition in their possession when they were arrested.
“Entering Kruger National Park illegally and on foot is not wise, it holds many dangers, and this incident is evidence of that,’’ park managing executive Glenn Phillips said in a statement. ‘
“It is very sad to see the daughters of the deceased mourning the loss of their father, and worse still, only being able to recover very little of his remains.”
USA Today reports that illegal poaching is a major problem in Kruger National Park, as the price of rhino horns fetch $27,000 per pound, or $1,700 per ounce—$400 more than the price of gold. They are treasured as medicinal ingredients and symbols of wealth in some Asian countries.
While the sad truth is some are forced into poaching by crappy economic circumstances, people showed little sympathy for dead poacher on Twitter:
Damn humans are arrogant https://t.co/Z59Wcv1rf3
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) April 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1115249159613886466
There’s a price you pay for the life you choose. Choose wisely. This poacher was killed when he entered the jungle. This story is also a message for Pakistanis who come to Kashmir to wage Jihad. Never forget the story of the poacher & the lion. Peace. https://t.co/KSH4BUaMVv
— Major Gaurav Arya (Retd) (@majorgauravarya) April 8, 2019
Some good news for a change. Rhino poacher trampled by elephant and eaten by lions. That’s what you call teamwork. Hope the rhino thanked them.https://t.co/YuANfHG1GB
— Pat Condell (@patcondell) April 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1114705964501032960
Apparently, poaching doesn’t always pay.
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