Kruger National Park Rangers assisted by Komatipoort and Skukuza SAPS helped the family of a suspected poacher to find closure by recovering his remains in the Crocodile bridge section on Thursday, 4 April.

“According to the family of the deceased, they were called by his accomplices who notified them that their relative had been killed by an elephant while they were in the KNP to poach a rhino on Tuesday evening,” Isaac Phaahla media spokesperson said.

The family called Skukuza Regional Ranger, Don English who, after assuring the family that he would do everything possible to recover the remains and bring them closure, arranged a search party, Phaakla said.

Rangers on foot, accompanied by members of the KNP Airwing flew over the area that was described by the family but due to failing light, could not locate the body.

The team resumed the search on Thursday morning, with further information provided after four of the deceased’s alleged accomplices, who had been arrested during the previous evening by the Komatipoort SAPS.

Read: Tourists taking pictures trampled to death by elephant

During the search, which was boosted with a further compliment of Field Rangers, the remains of a body were discovered.

According to Phaala, 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.

Reacting to the incident, the Managing Executive of the KNP, Glenn Phillips commended those who were part of the search party for helping the family find closure and extended his condolences to the relatives of the deceased.

Read: 19 Elephants poached in KNP

“Entering Kruger National Park illegally and on foot is not wise, it holds many dangers and this incident is evidence of that. 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,” Phillips said.

The four arrested individuals are in custody and will appear in court soon.