The officials suggested there may be a new poaching trend in the reserve.
Glenn Phillips, the Kruger Park’s managing executive, said it appeared poachers are now resorting to poisoning wildlife in the national parks and other protected areas in South Africa.
As of now, it’s not clear when the poisoning happened, but the rangers discovered the carcasses over the weekend.
An initial investigation revealed the elephant was shot in its head and its tusks were removed. The carcass was also poisoned.
Two lions fed on the carcass and they ended up dying. Also, 100 white-back vultures and two jackals died after feeding on the carcass.
Tusks and horns are often smuggled throughout parts of eastern Asia. William Mabasa, said traditional healers or sangomas in South Africa are particularly interested in vultures.
This isn’t the first time animal poisoning may have happened at the park. Last year, four lions and 46 vultures died, as well as an elephant. Poisoning may have been the reason for the deaths.
In Zimbabwe, over the last two years, more than 350 elephants have died after they were poisoned. Poachers have been blamed for those deaths.
Last year, Prince Harry visited Kruger Park and spent time there working on projects and highlighting the threats that elephants and rhinos face from poachers.
