Cape Town: A 15-foot-long crocodile that had eaten a 59-year-old businessman has been shot dead and airlifted out of the water in South Africa.
The deceased has been identified as 59-year-old businessman Gabriel Bautista. He was found dead in the water after being killed and eaten. Rescue workers are said to have shot it dead and airlifted it to remove the human body from its stomach.
In an exciting operation in South Africa on May 2, 2026, police airlifted a 4.5-meter-long and 500-kg-weight crocodile from the Komati River by helicopter.
Human body parts were found in the crocodile’s stomach. The remains are suspected to belong to 59-year-old businessman Gabriel Bautista from Vanderbiltpark, Gauteng.
What happened?
On April 28, 2026, heavy rains washed away Bautista’s car on a bridge near Komatipoort. He has been missing since then. While searching using drones and helicopters, the authorities spotted the huge crocodile with an abnormally swollen belly.
After capturing and shooting the crocodile, Captain Johan Potgeiter descended from a helicopter into the river, tied the crocodile with ropes and transported it to the forensics laboratory.
Businessman’s body in the crocodile’s stomach
When the crocodile’s stomach was examined, human ribs, two hands and chest meat were found. Along with this, clothes and a ring were also found. DNA testing is now being conducted to confirm that the body parts are those of Batista.
It remains to be seen whether the crocodile attacked him while he was still alive or whether the crocodile ate his body after he drowned.