Police arrest four poachers over murder of gorilla Rafiki

At least four persons have been arrested in connection to the murder of a rare silverback gorilla known as Rafiki which means "friend" in Swahili.

Rafiki was part of the famed Nkuringo gorilla group that lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is popular with tourists in Uganda.

After going missing on June 1, Rafiki's body was found the next day inside the park.

A post-mortem report revealed that Rafiki was injured by a sharp device to his abdomen and internal organs, according to a release by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

One man was arrested after bush pig meat and several hunting devices were found in his possession on June 4.

He confessed to killing Rafiki, but said he did so in self-defence, the release said. He told authorities he went with a group to hunt in the park when they came across the group of gorillas. The silverback charged and he speared it, the wildlife authority said in its release.

The man shared bush pig meat with fellow poachers, the release said. The four suspects are awaiting trial, but it is not clear what charges they face.

CNN