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Times
8 hours ago
- Times
US hunter gored to death by buffalo he was tracking in South Africa
An American big game hunter and millionaire has been killed by the buffalo he was tracking on a hunt in South Africa. Asher Watkins, a 52-year-old from Texas, was fatally hurt in a 'sudden and unprovoked attack' by the 'unwounded' animal at a reserve in Limpopo province on Sunday, according to the professional hunting operation hosting him. A statement by CV Safaris added: 'He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones.' The Cape buffalo, one of Africa's so-called big five along with the lion, leopard, rhinoceros and elephant, is highly prized by trophy hunters and notorious for its unpredictability, earning the nickname 'black death' for its habit of charging without warning when threatened or wounded. The males can weigh just under a ton and reach speeds of up to 35mph. On its website CV Safaris warns that Cape buffaloes 'are known to charge unprovoked' and that 'no species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation'. Citing some 200 human deaths attributed to the buffalo in Africa each year, it added: 'The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world.' Hans Vermaak, of CV Safaris, said the attack had shaken the staff who witnessed it. Watkins's brother, mother and step-father had travelled with him to South Africa and had stayed behind at their luxury lodge when he left for the 50,000-acre Bambisana reserve, where hunters can choose between rifles and bows on hunts priced at the equivalent of about £7,500. • The world's 12 most dangerous animals• Who killed Blondie? Lion 'lured from reserve by trophy hunter' Vermaak added: 'We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.' Watkins made his fortune in ranching real estate and was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group, an affiliate of LIV Sotheby's International Realty. His company biography described him as a man who 'spent the better part of his life in the outdoors'. Images on Watkins's Facebook page are predominantly of him and relatives posing beside the bodies of the animals they had killed, mostly birds, but also an antelope and a mountain lion.
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The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Millionaire US businessman gored to death by buffalo during South African hunting trip
A Texas ranch realtor was gored to death by a buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa, according to the safari company that organized his trip. Asher Watkins, 52, was out stalking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in the northernmost province of Limpopo on Sunday when the animal charged aggressively toward him at 35 mph, Hunter Hans Vermaak, a spokesman for Coenraad and Vermaak Safaris, told several media outlets. The unwounded buffalo struck and killed him instantly, according to Vermaak. It is not known whether the safari team, who were guiding their client on the estimated $10,000 hunt, shot the buffalo dead, or if it escaped back to its nearby herd. Cape Buffaloes are large, heavy cow-like animals that can weigh between 660 to 1,840 pounds and are around 4 to 5ft tall. Their horns are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead. Lions and humans are their only predators. Vermaak issued a statement on behalf of CV Safaris saying: 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. 'On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones. 'We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.' On the CV website, they state that they abide by 'fair chase and ethical hunting combined with a deep and sincere respect for wildlife.' 'Honesty and integrity come first. Hunting is our right, but it's also a privilege. We respect all fauna and flora and the laws of the land. We abide by the Custodians of Professional Hunting & Conservation SA (CPHC) code of conduct.' Watkins' social media pages are littered with images of game catches from slain desert mule deer to hundreds of dead snow geese. The Independent contacted Watkins Ranch Group and CV Safaris for comment. According to reports, CV Safaris has notified Watkins' ex-wife, Courtney, and their teenage daughter, Savannah, who is believed to be 16 years old. Watkins and his ex were reportedly still close and shared custody of their daughter following their split in 2013. His business, Watkins Ranch Group, sells luxury ranches, farms, and land priced in the millions across Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A close friend of the realtor said, 'He spent every spare moment he could with Savannah and shared his life with her, and nobody could love a daughter more than he did. She will be broken to lose Asher, who was her best friend as well as her dad,' as The Daily Mail reported. Watkin's immediate family, including his mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony, were all at the upmarket safari lodge when they were told the tragic news. His daughter is said to be 'in bits' following the news, according to The Mail's report. The wealthy hunter worked on his family's hunting and cattle ranch growing up, so he became familiar with 'the complexities of owning and operating a successful ranch', as well as gaining an eye for land investments. Before working in commercial real estate sales, he also held a career in oil and gas, according to his company biography. An alumnus of Baylor University, Watkins, is described as 'a proud and devoted father who understands the value of introducing youth into the outdoors.' 'He enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time on the road scouting out new properties and talking with landowners and farmers about the unique qualities in their area,' the profile added.
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Telegraph
Millionaire big game hunter gored to death by buffalo he was stalking
A millionaire American trophy hunter has been gored to death by a Cape buffalo he was on a hunting trip in South Africa. Asher Watkins, 52, was killed almost instantly when the hulking bovine – one of the 'big five' most desired animals to see on safari – charged at him on Sunday. It's unclear whether the animal escaped. Hans Vermaak said on behalf of trip organiser CV Safaris that Watkins was killed almost instantly in a 'sudden and unprovoked attack' by the animal, which can run at speeds of up to 35mph and weigh more than 900kg. The millionaire ranch trader was on the second day of a hunting safari, which reportedly cost $10,000 (£7,536), with a professional hunter and a tracker in Limpopo province. Mr Vermaak said: 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. 'We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.' Watkins's mother, stepfather and brother were waiting for him at the safari lodge when the incident occurred. Shannon Wherry, a close friend, wrote on social media: 'On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa's legendary buffalo.' She added: 'In a moment of fearlessness as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith and adventure.' Watkins ran Watkins Ranch Group, a real estate ranch business, which sells exclusive ranches priced between £1m and £30m across Texas and Oklahoma in the US. Cape buffaloes, also known as 'black death' and recognised by their distinctive curved horns, are widely considered the most dangerous of the 'big five' to hunt on foot. Despite their size – they can measure up to 5ft 6inches – their dark, shaggy brown coats make them well camouflaged in safari thickets, according to experts. According ot the CV Safari website, 'no species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape buffalo' and they are 'responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year'. It adds: 'The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa…[they] can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed and a charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial.'
