SOUTH AFRICA -- A suspected poacher of a Rhino in Kruger National Park was killed by an elephant. Sadly, before his remains were collected, he was already eaten by the pride of lions, officials of the park say.
The authorities along with the searchers found only a pair of pants and a skull. The park authorities could only assume that the man has been consumed by lions. The other four people he came with were arrested by the park authorities. The accomplices told the family of the deceased that he was at the park Thursday night to poach on some rhinos. However, his untimely death was caused by an elephant who crushed him.
Glenn Phillips, the executive manager of the park offered his condolences to the bereaved family but condoned the act that has put an end to the life of this man.
"Entering the Kruger National Park without permission is illegal and the government greatly contests that it be done on foot. We have repeatedly emphasized the danger of such actions," he implored in a statement. "It poses great danger and this incident is exactly what we were afraid of."
Kruger National Park in one of Africa's largest game reserves. Its land area is roughly composed of two million hectares and is home to elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and the great African Buffalo.
In July of 2018, three people were reported killed by a pride of lions. Police Officers and Rangers suspected they are rhino poachers that unfortunately was caught off guard and have become the hunted. This happened at the Southern part of the park.
It has come to no surprise for the authorities to find rhino poachers attempting to break into the park. A horn of a rhino is sold in the market for $9,000 per pound in Asia. Not only is this trade lucrative but adds on to the crisis of illicit trade. Owning a horn of a Rhino is considered as a status symbol in China and it is also a prized ingredient in their traditional medicinal practices.
Why are these animals disappearing before our very eyes? The answer is pretty simple -- because people consider them a lucrative source of income, no matter how dangerous it may be to obtain.
