South Africa: Wildlife trophy hunter who killed lions, elephants shot dead in 'execution-style' murder

A trophy hunter who was infamous for killing elephants and lions has reportedly been shot dead in South Africa.

Riaan Naude, 55, was found dead next to his vehicle in Marken Road, Limpopo, an area which includes part of the Kruger National Park wildlife reserve.

Trophy hunter shot dead in South Africa

According to various reports, South African Police Service spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi said: "The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face."

“The motive for the attack and the subsequent murder is unknown at this stage,” he added.

Naude’s company Pro Hunt Africa, based in northern South Africa, labels itself a “hunting and Eco Safari outfit.”

Two hunting rifles, clothes, water, whiskey and pyjamas were among items found in his car, local outlet Maroela Media reported.

Naude had previously uploaded images of himself to social media posing with the carcasses of endangered species like lions, elephants and giraffes he had killed.

The non-profit crime-fighting organisation the Heritage Protection Group (HPG) said Naude was shot dead by a man who pulled up alongside him when the hunter stopped his car after it overheated.

They claimed two men had stepped out of a white Nissan pickup truck, with one shooting him. HPG also added they stole one of his pistols and left.

Naude’s company, based in northern South Africa, labels itself a “hunting and Eco Safari outfit.”

“WE ARE YOUR AFRICAN DREAM!” the website boasts.

The business reportedly charges $350 per day to hunt game, $2,500 for a crocodile and $1,500 for a giraffe, according to Pro Hunt Africa’s price list.

Suspected poacher trampled and killed by elephant

Last year, a suspected poacher was trampled and killed by an elephant at South Africa's famed Kruger National Park.

The mangled body was discovered during an intelligence operation aimed at preventing poaching, Kruger spokesman Isaac Phaahla told AFP.

Officials had said that the individual was killed by an elephant and left behind by his accomplices. The elephant didn't damage the man's mobile phone though, which has been handed over to police in a bid to track down his accomplices, the report said. The individual who made the call didn't provide authorities with the exact location of the body but did give several clues.

Another suspected poacher was trampled to death by a herd of elephants at the same national park in 2021. The deceased man, and his accomplices, were fleeing from park rangers when they unexpectedly encountered a breeding herd of elephants.