It has now been absolutely confirmed Scott's remains were found in crocodiles in the Limpopo River. I have to be honest, Scott Van Zyl didn't care for me much - we had disagreements. There is certainly nothing new in that - the hunting community is one of strong passions and egos. Let me say Scott was a man to respect: he was passionate in his beliefs; tenacious on positions he strongly believed in. One of our founding members Gib Lewis who hunted with him several times feels he was a great professional hunter who was exceptionally dedicated to his profession. His many friends felt he would do anything for them and was a true comrade.
Last issue, I was called to task because we wrote foul play was suspected. I absolutely stand by that comment. In the day of "fake news", it's hard to discern truth, rumor, outright lies and sensationalism from fact.
The current update is as follows:
After a full week of intensive searching driven by the Limpopo Hunter's Association and their president Phillip Bronkhorst no trace of Scott remains were found. This search was conducted by helicopter and foot searches. In addition dogs were used searching for his scent. Currently Scott's GPS is being searched to determine his route. One clue was his backpack was found on the bank of the Limpopo River. His vehicle, guns and radio were found 8 kilometers away (indicating this was not a simple robbery). Two particularly aggressive crocodiles were shot near the location on the Limpopo, they were opened and the suspected human remains were tested against Scott's DNA. Horrifically those remains were the missing PH.
There has been reported from 4 up to 13 native Africans killed by crocodiles in the area of the flooding Limpopo River in the last month. A crocodile is malicious and sinister enough in their own right to be classified as foul play.
No one knows exactly what happened to Scott at this point. However there is a vast chasm between rank speculation and statistical probable certainty.
Let's consider Scott having died by non malicious means:
1) He went swimming in the Limpopo River at flood levels when numerous crocodiles were visible? Not likely.
2) He laid down on the bank for a siesta, knowing crocodiles in that area, at that time are particularly aggressive and was snatched off the bank while he napped. Ludicrous.
3) He committed suicide by crocodile intentionally jumpingin the water. Absurd.
Each of these explanations are ludicrous on their face. Those that knew Scott, knew he had a passion for life. He was a dedicated husband and father to young sons. I met the man and talked to him extensively in just February, and I can truly attest there was nothing depressing or despondent about him. He was full of passion and vigor.
On the other two benign possibilities, Scott was an extremely knowledgeable hunter and NO ONE that knew him, believes he would have made the mistake of swimming or sleeping next to the Limpopo.
On another point, Scott wasa big strong guy, maybe 275 pounds, looked like he could wrestle a bear a win. A farmer, a strong man, he wasn't some pansy office suit wearing guy. A crocodile that got hold of him would have been in for a struggle. Why then were their no signs of claw marks on the banks, struggle marks - just a backpack laying there in the open. Just the other day a ten year old girl fought back and got away from an alligator(http://news10.com/2017/05/08/10-year-old-girl-escapes-from-8-foot-alligator-by-prising-open-its-jaws/ ), why would there not have been some sign of a titanic struggle ?
Two or so years ago another PH was killed in the same area. A smaller river that runs into the Limpopo from West Nicholson Zimbabwe has illegal miners panning for gold. This is considered a very serious offense in Zimbabwe where the government owns all the minerals. I have personally run across these individuals, and they are armed, and it was one of the more dangerous situations I've been in. The most likely explanation is Scott stumbled onto these miners and was killed. They then attempted to get rid of his body in a manner suspicion would not fall on them; not counting on either his worldwide circle of friends, the massive worldwide financial support to find him, and the relentless and tenacious Limpopo Hunter's Association.
Regardless his friends in the Limpopo Hunters Association continue to fund the investigation into who ended Scott's life.
In short I completely stand by my original article, that foul means are suspected in Scott's death based on the totality of both hard and circumstantial evidence.