Rangers help family get remains of suspected poacher
Kruger National Park (KNP) rangers and authorities are assisting the family of a suspected poacher to get closure, after he was killed by animals.
The man's remains have been recovered next to the Crocodile River in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga.
According to KNP officials, the family of the deceased say they were notified by two of the poacher's accomplices that their relative had been killed by an elephant while they attempted to poach a rhino on Tuesday evening.
KNP spokesperson Isaac Phaahla says the poacher was assisted by four accomplices who were arrested on Wednesday.
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Rangers in Komatipoort arranged a search operation on Wednesday, accompanied by the KNP helicopter crew, who flew over the area which was described by the family.
"The team resumed the search on Thursday morning, with the help of further information provided after four of the deceased's alleged accomplices."
Phaahla says the remains of the poacher's body was discovered on Thursday at the Crocodile bridge.
"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.
"Skukuza police were notified immediately and are currently busy with further investigations into the incident, " Phaahla said.
The four other arrested suspects are expected to appear in court as early as today.