Lions devour gang of rhino poachers
Human remains and poaching tools found in lion enclosure of South African game reserve
Human remains found in a South African game reserve are believed to be those of a gang of rhino poachers who ran into a pack of lions.
The intruders are thought to have entered the lion enclosure of the Sibuya Game Reserve, near the Eastern Cape town of Kenton-on-Sea, late on Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Reserve owner Nick Fox told RNews that one of the reserve’s specially trained anti-poaching dogs first raised the alert that something was amiss in the early hours of Monday morning, but the bodies were not discovered until the following day.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"At about 4.30pm on Tuesday, one of our field guides on game drive alerted the Anti-Poaching Unit that there appeared to be human remains as well as other items in the immediate vicinity of the lions,” he said.
These items included “all the hallmarks of a gang intent on killing rhino and removing their horns”, Fox said, including a “high-powered rifle, gloves, wire cutters and the remains of a backpack”.
“The axe that was found on the scene is what is used to by these poachers to hack off the horn after they kill the animal,” he added.
Initial reports suggested that a lone poacher had been attacked, but further investigation of the grisly scene suggested at least two people were devoured by the pride.
“Judging from the shoes and items found on the scene‚ I suspect it is about two or maybe three,” Fox told DispatchLive.
The Eastern Cape are is a “hotbed for rhino poaching”, The South African reports, with nine rhinos having already fallen victim to poachers this year.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published