(KNX 1070) -- Kruger National Park rangers have recovered the remains of a man whose family says he'd gone into the park to poach rhinos, but was killed by an elephant, then eaten by lions.
According to CNN, police describe the incident as a "sudden" attack by an elephant that killed him. The man's fellow poachers left his body by the road so that he could be found by a passerby.
"Indications found at the scene suggested that a pride of lions had devoured the remains leaving only a human skull and a pair of pants," a statement from the park said.
"Entering Kruger National Park illegally and on foot is not wise, it holds many dangers and this incident is evidence of that," Glenn Phillips, the managing executive of Kruger National Park warned. "It is very sad to see the daughters of the deceased mourning the loss of their father, and worse still, only being able to recover very little of his remains."
Four of the man’s alleged accomplices have been arrested and are expected to appear in court. The men face charges of possessing firearms and ammunition without a license, conspiracy to poach and trespassing.
The New York Times reports that rhino horn is worth about $9,000 per pound in Asia, making it a luxury and lucrative black market item. Rhino horn is used in traditional Chinese medicine.