Lion killing trophy hunter gunned down in 'execution-style' murder

Trophy hunter Riaan Naude, 55, has been shot dead in South Africa. Photo / Facebook / Heritage Protection Group/ Riaan Naude

A trophy hunter who has killed some of the most protected animals such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos and lions has been murdered in South Africa.

Riaan Naude, owner of Pro Hunt Africa, was found dead next to his truck in Limpopo, the northernmost region of South Africa.

Local media reported two hunting rifles were found in his car in an area of the Kruger National Park wildlife reserve.

The 55-year-old had previously uploaded images of himself posing with dead animals including lions, elephants and giraffes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riaan Naude (@pro_hunt_africa)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riaan Naude (@pro_hunt_africa)

Non-profit crime-fighting organisation the Heritage Protection Group (HPG) claimed Naude was shot dead by a man who pulled up alongside him when he stopped his car near Mokopane after it overheated.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant colonel Mamphaswa Seabi said officers found his body after being called to the scene.

He said: "The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face."

The HPG also claimed two men had stepped out of the truck before one person shot him.

One of the men also stole one of Naude's pistols before fleeing.

A local cattle herder backed up claims, saying they heard a gunshot before seeing the two men in a white Nissan truck speeding away.

Naude's Pro Hunt Africa company, located in northernmost South Africa, describes itself as a "hunting and Eco Safari outfit".