A pair of majestic white lions have been poisoned by poachers in South Africa who then beheaded them and chopped off their paws.

The big cats, who were kept in captivity at a farm in Limpopo, were found dead on Friday.

It is believed the lions were targeted by poachers as part of a muti-killing, where animal body parts are used for healing in black magic rituals.

One of the big cats who was poisoned before being decapitated and having its paws chopped off in South Africa

Before they were killed, it is believed the lions were fed a pesticide called Temik, which is used to get rid of spider mites and other pests.

Local police said they had picked up a number of suspects relating to the killing near the Stockpoort border crossing with Botswana.

A police spokesman said that an investigation was under way.

It has been estimated that 8,000 lions are bred in captivity in South Africa.

It is believed the lions were targeted by poachers as part of a muti-killing, where animal body parts are used for healing in black magic rituals

Local police confirmed they had picked up a number of suspects relating to the killing near the Stockpoort border crossing with Botswana

A spokeswoman from LionAid told the Daily Express: 'The lions are often sold to facilities which offer walking experiences with lions.

'The final journey for most of these hand-reared lions is as a trophy to be mounted on a hunter's wall.'

Animal rights activists say canned - or 'captive' - hunting in South Africa, where lions have been reduced to little more than 'farmyard chickens', is popular to meet the market of high-paying tourists who hunt them down using guns or bows for the ultimate 'trophy' kill.

A white lion in the wild in Africa. South Africa is a prime destination for rich tourists looking to add another trophy to their collection and, as a result, 1,000 lions are killed there every year

An undercover investigation for a new film into the trade reveals that safari companies will even send out prospective hunters a catalogue so they can choose the exact animal they want to kill - ranging in price from $5,400 (£3,500) to $48,000 (£31,000), depending on size and condition.

South Africa is a prime destination for rich tourists looking to add another trophy to their collection and, as a result, 1,000 lions are killed there every year.