Wild Animal Hunter Meets His Match After Being Eaten By A Crocodile

Live by the sword...

Damjan

• Published in Animal Stories
• June 17, 2022

In a weird twist of fate, a hunter became the hunted during a Zimbabwe safari. Human remains discovered inside two crocodiles are suspected to be those of a South African hunter Scott van Zyl.

He went on a hunting safari in Zimbabwe last week and then vanished. The professional hunter who organizes expeditions for foreign clients was believed to have been eaten by crocodiles on the Limpopo River's bank.

Mr van Zyl and his tracker are thought to have left their truck and proceeded in opposite ways into the jungle. Mr van Zyl's possessions were discovered inside the truck when the dogs returned to the camp.

Rescue teams were dispatched to look for the hunter, which included helicopters, trackers, and divers scouring the area. His tracks were later discovered leading to the riverbanks, and his backpack was discovered nearby.

Mr. Van Zyl may have been eaten by two Nile crocodiles, according to Sakkie Louwrens, a member of one of the search teams. And they are waiting for the test results to confirm their suspicions.

“We found what could possibly be human remains in them,” he told The Telegraph. Forensic experts are conducting tests to determine if the remains belong to Mr van Zyl.

The SS Pro Safaris website, owned by Mr van Zyl, says the company "has conducted numerous safaris" throughout Southern Africa. These include "elephants in Botswana to the smallest blue duiker in KwaZulu Natal".

It goes on to list buffalo, rhinos, lions, leopards, and antelopes as targets for hunts.

Scott Van Zyl was the owner and operator of SS Pro Safaris, a trophy hunting facility in South Africa that also planned excursions to Africa for trophy hunters to shoot and display spectacular creatures in their homes.

Unfortunately, three crocodiles had to die during the search. “Permission was given for three Nile crocodiles in the area to be shot, and one of them contained Mr. Van Zyl’s remains,” Sakkie Louwrens, director of the Heritage Protection Group (HPG), a South Africa-based nonprofit that investigates, fights, and prevents violent crimes, told the BBC.

In a weird twist of fate, Van Zyl became the hunted earlier this month during a Zimbabwe safari

An investigation into Van Zyl's death is underway. Crocodiles have murdered at least four people in Zimbabwe in the last year. Crocodiles have been relocating away from rising rivers as a result of the extremely severe rains.

Unfortunately, three crocodiles had to die so the forensic expert could get the human remains to examine.

“Our hearts go out to Scott’s wife and their two children,” said Phillip Bronkhorst, chairman of the Limpopo Hunters Forum. “Scott will be remembered for the passion he had for his profession and life in general.”

He may have been passionate about his job, but it's impossible to imagine how someone who cares about life, in general, would be prepared to help and profit from the slaughter of hundreds of animals.

Even though every loss of life is tragic, we can't stop thinking about that old saying - he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. His family and a lot of animals would've been much happier if he had chosen a different career.

Damjan