In a daring weekend mission, South African authorities executed an aerial operation to retrieve a giant crocodile believed to have consumed a local man.
This operation was prompted by the disappearance of a 59-year-old entrepreneur from Gauteng last month, as confirmed by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Local outlet Smile FM identified the missing individual as Gabriel Batista, who owned the Border Country Inn situated a short distance from the river.
After an extensive search, a specialized task force located the crocodile along the Komati River on Saturday. Officials reported that the reptile was euthanized and extracted from the site. Upon inspection, human remains were found inside its stomach.
The dramatic rescue was captured on video, rapidly gaining traction on social media. The footage reveals personnel using a helicopter to lift the colossal reptile from the water.
A wildlife expert is seen alongside the lifeless crocodile during its airborne relocation in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
Police disclosed that the businessman vanished late last month after his Ford Ranger got stuck at a submerged river crossing notorious for its crocodile presence.
State media SABCNews reported that the vehicle was swept away as he attempted to cross the bridge.
Following a weeklong search, the team reportedly identified a large crocodile nearby that they believed may have attacked and consumed the victim.
According to officials who monitored the reptile for several days, the reptile appeared to show signs it had recently fed, including prolonged periods of inactivity, South African outlet ENCA said.
A massive crocodile was spotted near a river in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
“During the search, we saw that this particular crocodile was only about 150 meters away from where the person had washed off the bridge. This crocodile stayed there the whole time. When the helicopter went over it, it wouldn’t move away,” SAPS Captain Johan “Pottie” Potgieter said.
“We know from experience that if crocodiles have had a big meal, they’re not very active, and need to lie in the sun for their digestive system to start working.”
After authorities euthanized the animal with the necessary permissions, Potgieter operated under “extremely dangerous conditions,” being lowered from a helicopter into crocodile-infested waters.
It was then secured with a rope, hoisted from the water, and airlifted away, SAPS said.
Authorities used a helicopter to transport a massive crocodile from a river in South Africa. (Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Mpumalanga Provincial Office)
During the examination, officials reportedly discovered human remains, as well as six pairs of sandals inside the animal’s stomach, SABC News reported.
The remains have been submitted for DNA testing to confirm the victim’s identity.
It remains unclear whether the shoes are linked to any missing residents or villagers in the area.
