Rhino axe found at lions’ kill

At least two people believed to be poachers, maybe even three, were killed by a pride of lions on the Sibuya Game Reserve outside Kenton-on-Sea this week.

This was revealed by reserve owner Nick Fox after the discovery of human remains in the lion camp.

A hunting rifle with a silencer attached and an axe and wire cutters were recovered at the scene by police.

“Judging from the shoes and items found, I suspect it was about two or maybe three [alleged poachers] who were killed.”

Fox believes the men entered the reserve on Sunday night or early Monday morning.

He said the discovery of the human remains was made after an anti-poaching unit dog started barking during a vehicle patrol about 4.30am on Monday.

“At the same time the handler heard a loud commotion coming from the lions so he suspected that this was what had alerted her, and was not concerned.

“It is not unusual to hear them at night.”

A game guide out in the reserve on Tuesday afternoon alerted the anti-poaching unit, saying there appeared to be human remains as well as other items in the immediate vicinity of the lions, he said.

“I went to investigate. We could not examine the scene as the lions were close by.

“What we did see was the rifle on the ground as well as food, mainly bread, scattered everywhere. Human remains were also clearly visible.”

Fox said police were alerted but, due to bad lighting and the lions being active, a decision was made to dart and tran- quilise the lions on Wednesday morning.

Fox said that a rifle fitted with a silencer, as well as an axe, were found on the scene, clearly indicating that the people taken by the lions were poachers.

“The axe that was found on the scene is what is used by these poachers to hack off the horn after they kill rhino.

“Judging by the number of shoes and the evidence on the scene.”

Fox said that he was extremely happy that the rhinos were safe. “It is huge relief that they did not get to the rhino.

“We had a poaching around this exact same time two years ago,” he added.

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said investigators and specialists combed the scene and managed to retrieve some remains, which were taken by the department of health for forensic testing on Wednesday morning.

“The firearm has been taken by police and will be sent to the ballistics laboratory to establish if it has been used in any other poaching or other crimes.”

In June 2016, two white rhinos were killed and a third died later from injuries sustained in the incident.

This year alone, nine rhinos – all shot with a high-calibre hunting rifle – were killed on Eastern Cape reserves.

Last week Bella, a rhino at the Kragga Kamma Game Park, was killed a week after she was dehorned.

Clearly, the poachers walked into a pride of six lions and some, if not all, were killed