South Africa uses helicopter to retrieve crocodile suspected of containing missing businessman’s remains
South African authorities have recovered a crocodile suspected of containing the remains of a missing businessman following a search operation in the Komati River in Komatipoort.
Police Captain Johan Potgieter carried out the recovery on Sunday, descending from a helicopter to secure the reptile before it was hoisted from the river using a harness for forensic examination. The crocodile measured about 4.5 metres in length and weighed approximately 500 kilograms.
The operation followed a week-long search that involved drones and helicopters. During the search, officials identified a group of crocodiles on a small island and singled out one that appeared to have recently fed.
The crocodile was euthanised before the recovery. Authorities described the process as a “highly dangerous and complex operation.”
Human remains were later found in the animal’s intestines at the nearby Kruger National Park. Investigators also recovered six different types of shoes.
DNA tests are expected to determine whether the remains belong to a 59-year-old businessman from the Vanderbijlpark area who was reported missing. He is believed to have fallen into the river while attempting to cross a flooded low-lying bridge in his Ford Ranger in late April.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
