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Monster 5.4-metre crocodile found dead by fishermen

Two fishermen have come across the body of an enormous 5.4-metre crocodile that apparently died from swallowing fishing nets.

The monster carcass was found at Flag Boshielo Dam near the town of Marble Hall in the South African province of Limpopo.

“We were fishing on Saturday 10th October when we noticed something floating in the water and realised it was a crocodile’s hind leg,” Rikus Muller told news agency Newsflash.

Rikus Muller and a friend posing next to a crocodile he found dead while fishing in a South African dam. Source: Newsflash/Australscope
Rikus Muller and a friend posing next to a crocodile he found dead while fishing in a South African dam. Source: Newsflash/Australscope

The pair turned the boat around to take a closer look as the object was not moving.

“I thought that it may be dead so I poked it with my landing net,” Mr Muller said.

The fishermen wanted to investigate what killed the crocodile, but it was turning dark and they decided to head back and return the following morning.

Mr Muller took a photo of one of the crocodile’s feet to compare against his hand.

He shared the photo with his friend, Martin Theunissen, who told him the animal must have been “huge” and they returned to the scene the next day to find the crocodile corpse.

The crocodile's body was found in the water. Here Mr Muller is pictured holding up its hand. Source: Newsflash/Australscope
The crocodile's body was found in the water. Here Mr Muller is pictured holding up its hand. Source: Newsflash/Australscope

“We found it and dragged it to shore with the boat to take some photos,” Mr Muller told Newsflash.

“Afterwards we dragged it back into the dam so that nature could take its course.”

Mr Muller was unable to say what caused the crocodile’s death.

But photos later posted on social media after the body had been removed and examined revealed the huge reptile had a number of fishing nets in its stomach.

– Australscope

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