South African Game Reserve Owner, Multi-Millionaire CEO Trampled To Death By Elephant
FC Conradie, owner of Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was trampled to death by an elephant while guiding them away from tourist lodges.
In a tragic incident, the multi-millionaire, FC Conradie, owner of one of South Africa's top game reserves, was trampled to death by a charging elephant. According to The Daily Mail, the incident occurred when Conradie was attempting to guide a group of elephants away from the tourist lodges at 8 am on July 22 at Gondwana Private Game Reserve.
However, the task went wrong when the six-ton bull turned on him. The elephant reportedly gored Conradie with its tusks and trampled him multiple times, leaving nearby rangers powerless to save him despite their best efforts.
Conradie's staff said that he had a deep passion for elephants and nature, often venturing out to photograph them. Conradie also owned the Caylix Group sports management company. He had honours degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce and marketing, and was known as an 'ambitious entrepreneur and passionate about nature", NDTV reported.
'Because he is the boss man, everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing, or they will be out the same day. It is a big clampdown. FC was a great guy to work for, and he loved his elephants, which were his favourite, and he felt he had a trust with them, but you have to never forget they may live in a reserve but are wild. He will be greatly missed by all here," NDTV quoted a senior source at Gondwana as saying.
The Gondwana Game Reserve honoured Conradie's memory, describing him as a beloved leader, devoted husband, and father of three. They praised him as 'more than a leader – a mentor, visionary, and remarkable individual." The reserve requested privacy for the family during this difficult time and asked the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
It is not yet known whether guests at the Big 5 reserve, home to lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and Africa's southernmost elephant herd, witnessed the violent attack
The luxurious Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a 5-star safari lodge near Mossel Bay on the Garden Route, attracts celebrities and tourists seeking Big Five experiences. With nightly rates of around 900 pounds per couple, the reserve was fully booked when the incident occurred.
This incident marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year. In March 2023, 36-year-old staff member David Kandela was killed by elephants while guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area. Kandela was gored, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by elephants, including a former circus elephant named Bonnie.
Conradie's death has sparked debate about safety protocols in game reserves, highlighting the risks that come with working around wild animals. According to the experts, even seasoned professionals like Conradie need to exercise extreme caution when interacting with elephants, which can be unpredictable despite their calm nature, NDTV reported.
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First Published:
July 24, 2025, 13:01 IST
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