90-year-old tourist killed after being attacked by crocodiles while on inflatable boat in Zimbabwe

It is currently hatching season and female crocodiles have not eaten for three months

The attack took place in crocodile hatching season (File photo) (Getty Images)

A 90-year-old tourist has been killed after he was attacked by crocodiles while in a inflatable boat in Zimbabwe.

Another tourist, who was also in the boat in Matopos National Park, is currently on life support after the attack.

John Bowman, 90, and Rosemary Mitchell, 65, both of whom are Zimbabwean, were canoeing at Mpopoma Dam, a known crocodile hotspot, when their boat was attacked.

Crocodile attacks tend to spike around this time of year as hatchlings emerge and females leave their nests, which they have guarded without eating for three months.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said: “The crocodiles attacked the air-pumped boat they were using until it punctured. Their colleagues noticed that they were struggling and drove to seek help

“When the park rangers arrived at the dam, Bowman and Mitchell were still under attack from the crocodiles

“The rangers had to shoot at the crocodiles to disperse them and rescue the two and take them to hospital where Bowman died before arrival. Mitchell has life-threatening injuries and remains in intensive care unit in Bulawayo.”

Crocodiles typically grab their prey by a limb and spin them in a “death roll” which subdues the victim by drowning.