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A 500kg crocodile airlifted from riverbed in South Africa

Nature and animals

A South African police officer has been praised for his bravery after being lowered from a helicopter to secure a dead crocodile believed to contain the remains of a missing businessman. Authorities say permission was granted to euthanise the animal before it was tied and airlifted to another location. Captain John Potgieter carried out what police described as a highly dangerous and complex mission. Footage shows him suspended several metres in the air, clinging to a rope after securing the dead animal from the Komati River. The crocodile had been lying motionless, about 60m from where the businessman’s vehicle was found after being swept away. It was shot by a rescue team combing the river. Body parts recovered from its intestines are undergoing DNA testing to confirm the victim’s identity. The businessman had been missing for more than a week. #bbcafrica #southafricanews

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D
dawn_horton 1 month, 1 week ago

The croc is under arrest for man slaughter

G
gabrieltempest28 1 month, 1 week ago

😢😢😢

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marie_austin 1 month, 1 week ago

Please let the crocodiles be

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cynthia.costa 1 month, 1 week ago

I hv seen huge crocs, this one is nowhere close to 500kg.

babyberry
babyberry 1 month, 1 week ago

Shoot the crocodile 🤣🤣🤣

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sabrina_king 1 month, 1 week ago

The man was trying to cross a small bridge but his car was pushing for the river water… he couldn’t manage the situation and fell in the river. The man had a restaurant in my country (Mozambique), around the cross border. Unfortunately he was found inside the crocodile. I have the pictures. Really sad! May his soul rest in peace

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frédérique_weiss 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Apparently the guy was washed away during heavy rainfall and couldn't save himself, the inevitable happened unfortunately, the croc isn't in the wrong, the only thing that could have prevented this terrible accident is the guy not being there in the first place, very sad, RIP and sincere condolences to his family and friends and any loved ones ❤❤

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nermin.täsche 1 month, 2 weeks ago

500kg 🐊 with human remains and 6 pairs of shoes 😥🤔

jamesstream97
jamesstream97 1 month, 2 weeks ago

First time seeing a flying croc 🐊

paulvaleon6
paulvaleon6 1 month, 2 weeks ago

South africa and crocodile war is 5 and 6

thibaultpixel54
thibaultpixel54 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Can't imagine the horror the man must have experienced 🤦🏾‍♂️

J
james_west 1 month, 2 weeks ago

So they killed the crocodile on assumption it could contain human remains in its gut. Wasn't that a bit cruel. Just a personal thought to myself

joshuachen282
joshuachen282 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Taken in for questioning 🤷🏾 What a Croc 🤦🏽

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gabriela.miranda 1 month, 2 weeks ago

6pairs of shoes and human remains still to be investigated who the person is

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brendanhollow27 1 month, 2 weeks ago

There had to be a different to check without causing such distress, and possible death, to crocodile. Poor Croc

A
amanda.knight 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Dang, Rest in Peace to that poor soul

A
agathe_prévost 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Happy meal will end up as handbag 😢

E
elaine_fry 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Those shoes could be for black people in the area, who disappeared and unreported

J
josué_costela 1 month, 2 weeks ago

When we venture into their world, we put ourselves on the menu, they are built to hunt, millions of years of evolution, sad he lost his life, equally sad it lost its life.

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courtneyatlas82 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Like basically, the croc is under arrest... 😂