Suspected Poacher Devoured by African Lions

by
posted on February 14, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
x-small_8f-14-14.jpg

African lions have just devoured a suspected poacher, based on police reports coming out of South Africa near Kruger National Park. The remains of the believed-to-be poacher’s body were discovered over the weekend next to a loaded rifle and ammunition at private game park in Limpopo, the country’s northernmost province.

"It seems the victim was poaching in the game park when he was attacked and killed by lions,” said Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe to the Agence France-Presse news agency. “They ate his body—nearly all of it—and just left his head and some remains.”

BBC News, TheNewDaily.au and multiple other sources said police have yet to establish the man’s identity but believe it is possible based on the fact that the person’s head is among the remains.

The site was discovered in the bush at a private game park near Hoedspruit near Kruger National Park where poaching has been on the rise.

I was hunting with my wife in 2015 as she hunted Cape buffalo in that area and were told poaching was increasing. A considerable part of this along the border of Kruger National Park consists of thick bush with multiple lions. The thick cover makes it difficult to catch poachers so it looks like in this case that poetic justice was served. Hopefully, this will make other poachers hesitate before heading into the bush.

The Limpopo province has experienced increased poaching in recent years. Lions’ body parts are still being used in traditional medicine in Africa and beyond, including in Asia where they are sought after as a substitute for tiger bones.

Latest

Edge 3 SG LEDE
Edge 3 SG LEDE

#SundayGunday: Moultrie Edge 3 Cellular Trail Camera

On this week's #SundayGunday, Editor in Chief Scott Olmsted chats with Moultrie's Mark Olis about the company's new Edge 3 trail camera.

Michigan and Idaho Harness Game Camera Technology

Information gathered by hunters using today’s generation of game cameras can improve the odds of success on opening day, but state conservation departments are also adopting the technology to get a better glimpse of tough-to-count wildlife populations. Biologists in Michigan and Idaho are among the latest to join that growing list.

Leupold Announces Winners of ‘Project Hunt’ 2025

Leupold is pleased to announce the winners of its 2025 Project Hunt contest.

Hardware Review: TriStar Raptor II

There are few more utilitarian tools than a good, affordable shotgun. TriStar Arms is one of the leaders in producing firearms that fit into this category, and for 2025 the company released an update to its acclaimed Raptor semi-auto.

Christensen Arms Expands into .22 and .25 Creedmoor

Christensen Arms has announced the addition of .22 Creedmoor and .25 Creedmoor chamberings to three of its most popular rifle platforms: the Evoke Rifle, the Modern Precision Rifle (MPR), and the Ridgeline FFT.

Nosler Announces the Passing of Robert “Bob” Nosler

Nosler has announced with deep sadness the passing of Robert “Bob” Nosler, the company's Chairman, on September 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.