ADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A lakeside baptism in Ethiopia ended in tragedy after a crocodile killed a Christian priest initiating the ritual, an Ethiopian official said on Tuesday.

Shimelis Zenebe, Director General of the Abaya National Park in Southern regional state, said the victim was conducting a baptism ceremony for the faithful on Sunday afternoon when he was attacked by the crocodile, local media outlet Sheger radio reported.

He said the lake's recent decreases in fish population, a staple food of crocodiles, have prompted the normally water-bound reptiles to prey on animals near the lake.

Residents were only able to recover the mangled body of the priest and the crocodile escaped.

Lake Abaya that covers an area of 1,162 square kilometers is known to have a large population of crocodiles.

Ethiopia is a highly religious country, with around two thirds of its 100 million population describing themselves as Christians of various denominations.