Nick Escuderos
A South African hotelier is believed to have been eaten by a six-metre crocodile after human remains were found inside the bloated reptile.
The animal was shot from a helicopter and airlifted from the crocodile-infested Komati River in a daring police operation before a post-mortem was carried out.
A ring was found inside the belly of the 500-kilogram super predator that is believed to have belonged to Gabriel Batista, 59.
The businessman was swept away a week ago while trying to cross the Komati River in the northeast of the country. Researchers will conduct DNA testing on the bones and meat found inside the crocodile.
Batista’s all-terrain vehicle got stuck while trying to cross the Komati River last week.
It is not known if Batista had drowned when he was attacked by the crocodiles or if he was eaten alive.
After he disappeared, police spent four days flying drones and helicopters over the river during the search and noticed a crocodile with a swollen belly sunbathing on a small island.
said Capt. Johan “Pottie” Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit. News24: “In addition to having an enormously full stomach, he did not move or try to slide into the river despite the noise of the drones and the helicopter.”
The crocodile was shot by a police marksman from a helicopter and airlifted from the river to the nearby Kruger National Park.
A field necropsy was performed and two severed arms, part of a ribcage and pieces of meat were found in the crocodile’s stomach.
Potgieter said: “I don’t want to go into too much detail, but there was enough inside the stomach to make us believe the crocodile ate the missing man. But we will have to wait until the DNA results come back to confirm that.”
In addition to the body parts, six different types of shoes were found, Potgieter said.
He said this could indicate it had killed other people, but not necessarily, adding: “A crocodile will eat or swallow anything.”
Batista owned the Border Country Inn and sports bar, a short distance from the bridge where he disappeared.
A spokesman said: “Gabriel was a lovely guy and a family man… he spent a lot of time here and the customers loved him.
“He lived in Johannesburg but owned a guest house and a bar, spent a lot of time here and was on his way to work on Monday when he was dragged away.
“The family don’t want to say anything until the DNA results are back. It’s just terrible and his wife has been here every day with the police dive team. It’s a nightmare but at the moment there is no family comment.”
The Nile crocodile is the largest species in Africa, with some individuals rivaling the saltwater or estuarine crocodiles that live in Australia and Southeast Asia.
One of the most dangerous reptiles in the world, the Nile crocodile can grow up to six meters and weigh more than 680 kilograms.
The species is responsible for several hundred confirmed human deaths a year, although the true number may be higher because many attacks occur in remote areas and are not reported to authorities.
The Telegraph, London
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