Rhino Poachers Mauled To Death By Pride Of Lions After Breaking Into Game Reserve

laurend

Well-Known Member
I guess they got what they deserve.

At least three hunters were believed to have been devoured by the predators with one head being recovered at the scene along with a number of bloodied body parts and limbs.

Staff discovered the bloody remnants at the Sibuya Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea in Eastern Province, South Africa, and called in a helicopter to search the area for more poachers.

When none were found and the area was declared safe a vet tranquillised the six lions in the pride so that police and staff could go inside and recover the remains of the mauled poachers.

Owner Nick Fox, 60, said: “We found enough body parts and three pairs of empty shoes which suggest to us that the lions ate at least three of them but it is thick bush and there could be more.



RELATED ARTICLES
Jamie Pyatt News Limited

The remains of the bodies were found in the evening, staff waited until daylight to investigate
“They came heavily armed with hunting rifles and axes which we have recovered and enough food to last them for several days so we suspect they were after all of our rhinos here.

“But the lions are our watchers and guardians and they picked the wrong pride and became a meal.

“Whilst we are saddened at any loss of life the poachers came here to kill our animals and this sends out a very clear message to any other poachers that you will not always be the winner”.

The game reserve is one of the most popular in the Eastern Cape with British tourists and is home to the Big Five of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard and is set in 30 square miles.

Jamie Pyatt News Limited

Three rhinos were killed by poachers in 2016
We found enough body parts and three pairs of empty shoes which suggest to us that the lions ate at least three

Nick Fox

In 2016 the reserve lost three rhinos when poachers got into the park and shot them dead and cut off their horns but this time the poachers ended up being the prey and a dinner for the lions.

Owner Nick said: “The lions may have eaten more of them it is difficult to tell as the area is very thick with bush and you cannot be sure what they have taken off to feed on elsewhere.

“The best estimate we have so far is that three of the gang were eaten.

“They were armed with high powered rifles with silencers and an axe for the horns and wire cutters and side arms and they had enough food with them to last for many days.

“They were clearly intent on killing rhinos and cutting off their horns."

Jamie Pyatt News Limited

The poachers were HEAVILY armed with rifles
The remains of the bodies were found as darkness fell on 3 July but staff had to wait until daylight on 4 July when the area could be declared safe to go in and recover what was left

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender confirmed that the remains had been found in the lion camp and that detectives were on the scene trying to work out how many were eaten.

Captain Govender said: “We do not know identities but firearms have been taken by the police and will be sent to the ballistics laboratory to see if they have been used in poaching before”.

This year already nine rhinos - all of which were shot with a high-calibre hunting rifle - have been killed by poachers on Eastern Cape reserves and it is hoped this is the gang responsible.

In February a poacher hunting lions in the Umbabat Game Reserve near the Kruger National Park was killed by lions and was identified by his sister in law from all that remained his head.
 

Shula

Well-Known Member
“But the lions are our watchers and guardians and they picked the wrong pride and became a meal
"You got the wrong one today!"-Ancient African American proverb

In 2016 the reserve lost three rhinos when poachers got into the park and shot them dead and cut off their horns but this time the poachers ended up being the prey and a dinner for the lions.

Goose/gander :blah:/Turnabout is fair play...

In February a poacher hunting lions in the Umbabat Game Reserve near the Kruger National Park was killed by lions and was identified by his sister in law from all that remained his head.
At least three hunters were believed to have been devoured by the predators with one head being recovered at the scene along with a number of bloodied body parts and limbs.
:ill:

BUT, and say it with me ladies..."At least they died doing what they loved!"
And I promise you they will never learn. No what have you been humbled by threads for them, lol.
 

Pat Mahurr

Pun intended
In my mind, a rhino being shot and left for dead in the dark of night is quite different from a human having the flesh ripped from his bones (for who know how long) by lions in the dark of night. I don’t think all deaths are equal. To me it’s sad when people lose their lives over stupidity or greed. Like I said, though, my sympathy doesn’t make a difference anyway.
If it helps, picture what they would have done to the rhinos.

Whoever said occupational hazard was right
 

Crackers Phinn

Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
In my mind, a rhino being shot and left for dead in the dark of night is quite different from a human having the flesh ripped from his bones (for who know how long) by lions in the dark of night. I don’t think all deaths are equal. To me it’s sad when people lose their lives over stupidity or greed. Like I said, though, my sympathy doesn’t make a difference anyway.
I don't think that animal deaths are on par with human deaths either. That said, if these dudes didn't even have time to get their guns they probably died instantly. Big cats don't play with their food when they are in a pack because food gets stolen so those dudes would have been immobilized (teeth to neck) immediately so they would be easier to drag off. You don't want your food kicking & fighting you as you're dragging it off.
 

LdyKamz

Well-Known Member
I don't think that animal deaths are on par with human deaths either. That said, if these dudes didn't even have time to get their guns they probably died instantly. Big cats don't play with their food when they are in a pack because food gets stolen so those dudes would have been immobilized (teeth to neck) immediately so they would be easier to drag off. You don't want your food kicking & fighting you as you're dragging it off.
I want to believe this but all those "I shouldn't be alive" shows tell tales of the person basically being tortured. Scalp ripped from their head, ears being torn off, picked up between the jaws and shaken about. This is all probably because humans are likely fighting back while screaming bloody murder and flailing their arms if they are still working. I'll never forget a link to a video someone sent me (her and I are no longer friends because of this btw) where a man on a safari trip with his family got out to get a closer pic of a lion. He died fairly quickly but those few torturous moments probably felt like a lifetime. It sure as hell did for me. They were pawing and swiping at him like he was a toy instead of a quick neck kill even after he was already down.

Poachers really play with their lives don't they?
 

Everything Zen

Well-Known Member
It does my heart good to see y’all filling the void. I’ve had acute bronchitis now for a month but I’m getting over it. The new quarter for school has begun and FH’s wayward 15 year old nephew is staying with us for the summer so my plate is overflowing. I’m likely going into lurkmode for a while. Keep making me proud.

 

HappilyLiberal

Well-Known Member
It does my heart good to see y’all filling the void. I’ve had acute bronchitis now for a month but I’m getting over it. The new quarter for school has begun and FH’s wayward 15 year old nephew is staying with us for the summer so my plate is overflowing. I’m likely going into lurkmode for a while. Keep making me proud.


Don't worry, your assistant @Crackers Phinn will take over while you're gone!
 
Top