Police in South Africa have arrested two poachers after they allegedly poisoned, killed and cut up a white lion, local reports say.
There is also an ongoing manhunt for two more suspects believed to be related to the crime that took place outside the northern town of Makhado, on Sunday.
“The two suspects were allegedly involved in the killing of a white lion… in one of the game lodges in that area. After poisoned meat was thrown into the lion enclosure, one lion ate the meat and died instantly,” said Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe in a statement.
“The suspects cut the paws, head, and even attempted to remove the skin of this lion before they fled the scene.”
The white lion is a “special protected species” in South Africa, and, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust, only 15 remain in the wild.
Police and conservationists are still battling against poachers, and authorities believe that they are making significant steps in combatting the practice.
“The fight against illegal poaching, especially the protected species throughout this province, continues to yield positive results,” Ngoepe said in a statement.
