Wildlife trophy hunter who killed lions and elephants gunned down in ‘execution-style’ murder next to car

Warning: this article contains images some may find distressing

The trophy hunter often posted pictures on social media of himself posing with the carcasses of animals he had killed

A wildlife trophy hunter has been killed in an "execution-style" murder in Limpopo, South Africa. Police found Riaan Naude dead next to his vehicle in the South African province, which is famous for its wildlife reserves. They said he had been shot dead. They also found a pair of hunting rifles, clothes, water, whiskey and pyjamas in his vehicle. 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."

Naude often shared pictures on social media of himself posing alongside carcasses of animals he had killed, such as lions, elephants and giraffes.

He was also the head of the Pro Hunt Africa firm, which describes itself on its website as a "hunting and Eco Safari outfit" in northernmost South Africa.

According to the Heritage Protection Group via Maroela Media, a not-for-profit organisation which fights against rhino poaching, Naude had stopped by the side of the road when his vehicle overheated.

He was then reportedly shot "in cold blood" after a second vehicle pulled up next to him. Two men then got out, stole one of his guns, and drove off in the direction of Marken.

In a post on Twitter, anti-hunting group XposeTrophyKilling shared the news alongside a picture of Naude holding a dead lion.

They tweeted that he had been shot "execution-style."

https://twitter.com/TrophyXpose/status/1534993565813657605 Police have said the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. Several voiced their happiness at the trophy hunter's death, with one saying it was "karma." Another tweeted: Perhaps it was a hit issued by the animal kingdom?" https://twitter.com/Feikemanagement/status/1534998751500197888 And a third wrote: "What goes around..." Related links:

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