Updated February 13, 2018 10:17:59

Photo: Poaching of animals such as lions has been on the increase in the South African province of Limpopo. (ABC News: Dingani Masuku, file photo)

Lions have killed and eaten a man believed to have been poaching animals in a South African nature reserve, leaving behind "his head and some remains".

Police found a rifle and ammunition next to the remains of the man, outside Kruger National Park in the northern province of Limpopo.

"It seems the victim was poaching in the game park when he was attacked and killed by lions," Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe told AFP.

"They ate his body, nearly all of it, and just left his head and some remains."

Poaching of animals in the area has increased in recent years.

Last year lions were found poisoned near a farm in the province with their heads and paws cut off.

Body parts of lions are used in traditional medicine.

Topics: animals, human-interest, south-africa

First posted February 13, 2018 10:16:23