Charging buffalo kills millionaire trophy hunter during South African safari
Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris), the outfit that organised the hunt, confirmed the incident in a public statement. 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts 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,' Metro reported, quoting from the statement.
According to the report, Watkins was with a professional hunter and a tracker at the time of the attack. The buffalo, described as a Cape buffalo bull, is often referred to by hunters as 'Black Death' due to its aggression.
The safari company added that they are working to support Watkins' family in the aftermath of the tragedy.
'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,' the statement read.
Watkins' former wife also spoke to Metro, sharing how the death has deeply impacted their family, especially their daughter.
'It's a reality that's still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad. We've been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it,' she said.
Watkins had gained recognition as a trophy hunter, frequently posting photos of himself with hunted animals such as deer, ducks, and mountain lions.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
US millionaire hunter gored to death: Social media hails buffalo as hero
In a dramatic twist of fate that has reignited fierce debate on the ethics of big-game hunting, American trophy hunter Asher Watkins, 52, was fatally gored by a Cape buffalo—often dubbed the 'Black Death'—during a licensed safari in Limpopo, South Africa, on August 3, 2025. Watkins, a Texas-based millionaire and self-proclaimed 'adventure conservationist,' had built a prominent online presence showcasing his trophy kills from across the globe. But this time, nature struck back. The buffalo, one of Africa's most formidable and unpredictable animals, charged while being tracked and instantly killed him—a rare reversal that quickly turned into a viral morality tale. Public voices split, but the internet takes the buffalo's side Within hours, news of Watkins' death exploded across social media platforms, where reactions ranged from sympathy to savage criticism. While some viewed his death as a tragic accident, many celebrated it as karmic justice. 'He deserved his fate. He travelled the planet killing for fun. Hope the buffalo wasn't harmed,' one user commented. 'Karma at its finest. The hunted finally fought back,' another quipped. The phrase 'when the hunter becomes the hunted' trended widely, with users across platforms framing the incident as a reckoning moment for those who glorify killing animals for sport. The wall at the buffaloes house — Chloe Of Now (@ChloeOfNow) August 6, 2025 Online sentiment: The buffalo as a symbol of justice A clear shift in public sentiment emerged—sympathy poured not for the fallen millionaire, but for the buffalo. On Reddit and Facebook, users dubbed the animal a symbol of wild justice and resistance. One Redditor wrote: 'Sounds like perfectly justifiable self-defence on the buffalo's part.' 'To kill for sport is despicable. Love this buffalo for taking out the trash.' 'He came to my territory uninvited' — Pfarelo (@PfareloMulondo) August 7, 2025 Viral memes, commentary threads, and wildlife advocacy pages echoed the same sentiment: it was nature's turn to win. From blood sport to backlash: the ethics of hunting under fire While defenders of trophy hunting pointed to the economic benefits such safaris bring to local communities and conservation efforts, critics were quick to dismiss those arguments, calling them smokescreens for cruelty. The tragic end of a man who once boasted about taking down lions and elephants became a catalyst for reflection on the legitimacy of these 'hunts' in the modern age. Posts questioned why such practices still receive legal sanction and tourist support. One wildlife conservation page remarked: 'It's telling that the world mourns the buffalo, not the man. That says everything about where we are in 2025.' Digital-age morality tale The social media narrative following the incident has evolved into more than just a viral news cycle—it's a morality play for the digital age. It reveals changing global attitudes toward wildlife, colonial legacies in safari culture, and the growing consensus that the right to life doesn't end at the species line. In the end, this was not just a story about a man's tragic death—it became a symbol of resistance. And on that front, the internet has spoken loudly and clearly: it stands with the buffalo.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Charging buffalo kills millionaire trophy hunter during South African safari
Asher Watkins, 52, a millionaire from Texas, was infamous for his passion for big game hunting. During a safari in South Africa, he was killed by Cape buffalo that charged at him. The incident occurred in Limpopo province while Watkins was tracking the 1.3-tonne animal, Metro reported. Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris), the outfit that organised the hunt, confirmed the incident in a public statement. 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts 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,' Metro reported, quoting from the statement. According to the report, Watkins was with a professional hunter and a tracker at the time of the attack. The buffalo, described as a Cape buffalo bull, is often referred to by hunters as 'Black Death' due to its aggression. The safari company added that they are working to support Watkins' family in the aftermath of the tragedy. '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,' the statement read. Watkins' former wife also spoke to Metro, sharing how the death has deeply impacted their family, especially their daughter. 'It's a reality that's still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad. We've been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it,' she said. Watkins had gained recognition as a trophy hunter, frequently posting photos of himself with hunted animals such as deer, ducks, and mountain lions.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Millionaire trophy hunter killed by ‘Black Death' buffalo he was hunting on African safari
An American millionaire, who was known as a big game hunter, was brutally killed while on a South African safari by a buffalo he was trying to kill. According to reports, 52-year-old Asher Watkins from Texas died while he was tracking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in Limpopo province. Texan millionaire Asher Watkins was killed during a hunting trip in South Africa. (Facebook/Asher Watkins Outdoors) 'Sudden and unprovoked attack' Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris) addressed the incident in a statement, reported the Metro. 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts 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.' Also Read: Iraqi man killed and devoured by pet lion he tried to tame just days after buying it The agency expressed its grief over the incident, adding that it is doing everything possible to support Watkins' family. "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.' What happened? According to a report by the Metro, a Cape Buffalo bull, known as the Black Death, suddenly charged towards Watkins and slammed into him. The agitated animal killed the millionaire 'almost instantly'. It is unclear if the animal has been put down. 'He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers," CV Safaris said in a statement. Ex-wife speaks out: Watkins' former wife opened up about the tragedy, adding that their daughter is in a state of shock. 'It's a reality that's still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad. We've been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it,' she told the outlet. Watkins was an American trophy hunter who frequently shared visuals of himself with corpses of various animals, including deer, ducks, and mountain lions.
