His head was left untouched.
The lions devoured most of the man’s body and left his head untouched.
Remains of the man were recovered near a black spot for poachers near Hoedspruit in the Nothern Province of Limpopo.
Limpopo police had initially believed that the man was a tractor driver that worked at the reserve but a hunting rifle and ammunition found near his remains raised suspicion that he may be a poacher.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It seems the victim was poaching in the game park when he was attacked and killed by lions. They ate his body, nearly all of it, and just left his head and some remains," Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe said.
According to a local worker from a nearby reserve revealed that the man had tried screaming for help but his efforts bore no fruits as by the time help came, the lions had already eaten most of him.
“A scream was heard and the lions were scattered by the sound of gunshots but it was too late to do anything for him, He was eaten,” said the worker.
The deceased’s body was recovered in a black spot for poachers in the reserve.
Lions and rhinos are the most poached animals in South African game parks. Another poacher identified as Luteni Muhararukua was killed by a rhino that he was hunting near Namibia a few months ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
Investigations are currently underway.
