A South African hotelier is believed to have been eaten by a 15ft crocodile after human remains were found inside the swollen reptile.

The animal was shot from a helicopter and airlifted from the crocodile-infested Komati River in a daring police operation before a post-mortem examination was carried out.

A ring was found inside the belly of the 500kg apex predator and is thought to have belonged to Gabriel Batista, 59.

The businessman was swept away in floodwaters while trying to drive across the Komati River in the north-east of the country a week ago.

Investigators will carry out DNA tests on the bones and flesh found inside the crocodile.

Batista’s four-wheel-drive vehicle became stuck when he attempted to cross the Komati River last week. He is believed to have been swept away by the floodwaters.

It is not known whether Batista had drowned by the time he was attacked by the crocodiles or if he was eaten alive.

In the wake of his disappearance, police spent four days flying drones and helicopters over the river during the search and noticed a crocodile with a swollen belly basking in the sun on a small island.

Capt Johan “Pottie” Potgieter, the commander of a police dive unit, told News24: “Besides having a massively full tummy, he didn’t move around or try to slip into the river despite the noise of the drones and the chopper.”

The crocodile was shot by a police marksman from a helicopter and airlifted away from the river to nearby Kruger National Park.

A field necropsy was carried out and two severed arms, part of the rib cage and pieces of flesh were found in the stomach of the crocodile.

Capt Potgieter said: “I don’t want to go into too much detail but there was enough inside the stomach to lead us to believe the crocodile ate the missing man. But we will have to wait until the DNA results come back to confirm it.”

As well as the body parts, six different types of shoes were found, according to Capt Potgieter.

He said this could indicate it had killed other people, but not necessarily, adding: “A crocodile will eat or swallow anything.”

Batista owned the Border Country Inn and sports bar, a short drive from the bridge where he disappeared.

A spokesman said: “Gabriel was a lovely guy and a family man… he spent a lot of time up here and customers loved him.

“He lived in Johannesburg but owned this guest house and bar and spent a lot of time here and was on his way to work on Monday when he was just swept away.

“The family do not want to say anything until the DNA results have been done. It is just terrible and his wife has been here every day with the police diving team.

“It is a nightmare but at the moment there is no family comment.”

The Nile crocodile is the largest species in Africa, with some individuals rivalling the saltwater or estuarine crocodiles that live in Australia and Southeast Asia.

One of the most dangerous reptiles in the world, Nile crocodiles can grow as long as 20ft and weigh more than 680kg.

The species is responsible for several hundred confirmed human deaths per year, although the true number may be higher because many attacks happen in remote areas and are not reported to the authorities.