Professional hunter who went missing on safari 'eaten by crocodiles' after remains are found

A South African professional hunter has died after apparently being eaten by crocodiles.

Scott van Zyl had been missing since last week after he went on a hunting safari in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

The 44-year-old father-of-two is thought to have been eaten by crocodiles while hunting on the banks of the Limpopo River.

Van Zyl, who has a company which runs hunting trips for foreign clients, was not alone for his trip, but accompanied by a tracker and a pack of dogs.

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However, at some point it is believed that van Zyl and the Zimbabwean tracker left the safety of their truck and walked in different locations into the bush.

Although the dogs were later found back in the truck, the hunter was missing.

Rescue teams – using helicopters, trackers and divers – were able to find his tracks leading to the banks of the river and his backpack was also found nearby.

It is thought he may have been eaten by two Nile crocodiles.

Human remains were found inside the beasts.

Sakkie Louwrens, a member of the search team, said police suspected two Nile crocodiles may have eaten Mr Van Zyl.

‘We found what could possibly be human remains in them,” reported the Telegraph.

The crocodiles were shot dead after =discussions between police and animal experts.

The remains are to be tested by forensic experts.

At least four people have been killed by crocodiles in Zimbabwe in the past month, including an eight-year-old girl.

Nile crocodiles can grow up to more than 16 feet long and weigh more than 1,500 ilns.

They are thought to be the second largest type of existing reptile, after the saltwater crocodile.