In this sentence from The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell what does the word zealous mean in these lines Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him there he told himself onl?

In this context, the Word "zealous" describes General Zaroff's intense enthusiasm and passion for hunting. It suggests that Zaroff is not just a casual hunter but someone deeply committed and obsessive about the pursuit. The use of "zealous" emphasizes his skill and determination, indicating that even with such fervor, he is unable to locate his prey.