A POACHER hunting rhinos in the Kruger National Park met a gruesome end after being trampled to death by an elephant and then eaten by a pride of hungry lions.

Four other poachers who fled the game reserve in South Africa in terror were picked up by police and explained how a member of their gang had been killed.

8 A piece of clothing which was recovered along with the man's head and limbs after his body was eaten by a pride of lions Credit: Twitter/SAPoliceService

8 A poacher was trampled by an elephant then eaten by lions while trying to hunt rhino in Kruger National Park Credit: Getty - Contributor

They described how an angry elephant surprised them as they stalked endangered rhino and stamped their friend to death giving them a chance to run for safety.

Kruger Park Rangers immediately set out for the area known as Crocodile Bridge and sent up their airwing helicopter in a bid to find the dead man’s remains before it got dark.

KNP ranger Don English led the team out again at first light on Wednesday to recover the body.

But with no luck the police officers in the case re-interviewed the captured poachers to try and get more detail as to where the elephant attacked and killed their friend.

This sends out a powerful message to poachers that you will not always be the winner Nick Fox

They found what was left of the poacher on Thursday but it appeared he had been eaten by a lion pride.

All that was left to bring back to the camp was the poacher's bloodied head some clothes.

KNP managing executive Glenn Phillips said: “Entering the Kruger illegally and on foot is not wise as it holds very many dangers and this incident is clear evidence of that.

“It was very sad to see the daughters of the deceased man mourning the loss of their father, and worse still, only being able to recover very little of his remains.”

Mr Phillips commended the search party for finding what was left of the poacher to give the family “some closure” and extended the parks’ condolences to his relatives.

8 The dead poacher's shoe was also found after his body was feasted on by the hungry big cats Credit: Sibuya Game Reserve

8 The dead's man rifle and ammunition were also found at the scene of the killing in Kruger National Park Credit: Twitter/SAPoliceService

The four arrested individuals remained in police custody and will appear in court for poaching soon.

In July last year at least three poachers were eaten by a lion pride at the Sibuya Game Reserve in Eastern Province, South Africa, after they broke into the park to hunt rhino.

Owner Nick Fox said a head and a number of bloodied parts and limbs were recovered along with just a single empty shoe and their high powered hunting rifles and an axe.

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He said: “We are of course saddened at any loss of life but these men came to kill our animals and this sends out a powerful message to poachers that you will not always be the winner”.

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s biggest reserve in the country and covers over 12,000 square miles and is home to the Big Five of rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard.

A SAPS police spokesman confirmed four men were in custody and they are investigating a fatality.

8 Kruger national park, Crocodile River flowing over the Crocodile Bridge during heavy rain Credit: Getty - Contributor

8 The poacher was trampled by an angry elephant while on the hunt Credit: AFP

8 The poachers were attempting to hunt rhino when the incident took place Credit: Getty Images - Getty

8 A game reserve owner has said it is a fitting warning to poachers Credit: Getty - Contributor

Male lions filmed walking on road in Kruger National Park

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