Lions found mutilated and poisoned in South Africa

South African police have launched an investigation after several lions were found poisoned and beheaded in northern Limpopo province over the past few months.

Three lion carcasses, two of them without their heads and paws, were found in the latest incident, police said.

“The lions were found killed on a farm outside Polokwane - two males had their heads and paws cut off and taken away," provincial police spokesman Motlafela Mojapelo said.

Police suspect the big cats were killed on Thursday.

"It would seem there is a trend unfolding in the province," Mr Mojapelo said, pointing to three other incidents in recent months involving the killing of at least eight lions.

He said the offenders "are feeding the lions with poisoned chickens, and that kills them and they start dismembering them".

No arrests have been made yet in connection with the string of killings and the motive so far remains unclear.

Local media speculate the killings could be for the cats' body parts which are used in so-called traditional medicine.