Texan millionaire in Africa on hunting trip gored to death by buffalo
The unwounded buffalo struck and killed him instantly, according to Mr Vermaak.
It is not known whether the safari team, who were guiding their client on the 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 4-5ft tall. Their horns are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead. Lions and humans are their only predators.
Mr 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.'
Mr Watkins' social media pages are littered with images of game catches, from slain desert mule deer to hundreds of dead snow geese.
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,' 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. (© The Independent)
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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Black Death' buffalo shot dead after fatally goring millionaire American trophy hunter in ambush while being stalked
THE "Black Death" buffalo that gored a big game hunter to death has been shot dead. Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was on Safari in Limpopo, South Africa last Sunday stalking the 3,000lb bull when he was fatally charged at. Advertisement 6 Often dubbed the 'Black Death', cape buffalo are known for killing hunters more than lions and rhinos 6 The animal ambushed Asher Watkins in thick bushland and left him with no chance 6 His social media posts would often showcase his many hunts Without warning, the buffalo - considered Africa's most dangerous animal - burst from cover at 35mph and struck Watkins, killing him almost instantly. Moments later the hunter, who had been guiding Watkins through the thick bushland, fired at the beast - killing him with one shot. Paramedics rushed to the scene where they confirmed Watkins had died of severe incisions to his stomach and ribs. They said: 'He was beyond help except to load his body into the ambulance. He had horrific injuries to his stomach and to his ribs. Advertisement Read more on World BLOOD SPORT I went undercover with hunters - their tricks to get 'perfect photo' are sick 'Buffalo kills are not rare in Limpopo and not many survive but when our guys got there it was clear he must have died instantly from the injuries he had suffered. 'It was big buffalo and anything standing in the way of a charge would not survive. If left alone they are pretty tolerant but if you upset them it will not end well. 'The buffalo lay dead where it was shot with a single bullet wound'. News of the buffalo's death has been met with widespread criticism with many calling for an end to trophy hunting. Advertisement Watkins's ex-wife Courtney posted about her former's partner's death but was forced to take it down when she received a torrent of hate from trolls. The hunt, organised by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, was reportedly worth a staggering $10,000 (£7,500). Legendary lion Blondie studied by Oxford boffins is lured from reserve and shot dead by sick trophy hunter in £35k kill Cape buffalo, often dubbed the "Black Death", are responsible for about 200 deaths annually and kill more game hunters than lions, elephants, rhinos or crocodiles. Watkins, a keen conservationist, believed hunting was a vital part of preserving wildlife. Advertisement His social media features trophies including a mountain lion, numerous deer, wildfowl and even boasts of killing thousands of doves over three days with pals in Argentina. But during Sunday's hunt in the 50,000-acre Bambisana concession, a buffalo got wind of the trackers and turned on them. Though not believed to be wounded at the time, the bull became agitated and launched a surprise attack. Watkins – raised on Texas farms and taught to shoot from a young age – was caught off guard and gored in a fatal charge. Advertisement Hunter Hans Vermaak, speaking for CV Safaris, said: "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. 6 The 52-year-old was on a safari alongside a professional hunter and tracker 6 Watkins posing with a dead mountain lion Advertisement 6 Watkins said he was a keen conservationist "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." Watkins' ex-wife Courtney - with whom he shared custody of their teenage daughter after splitting in 2013 - was notified of his untimely death. Advertisement LOVING DAD One of the dad's close friends said: "He spent every spare moment he could with [his daughter] and shared his life with her. "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." His mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were staying at the luxury lodge nearby when the tragic news was delivered. Watkins ran the successful Watkins Ranch Group in Texas, selling luxury ranches priced between £1million and £30million. Advertisement He was affiliated with global firm Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty and was a member of the Dallas Safari Club. Friends say he also owned a world-class hunting rifle collection. Close pal Shannon Wherry wrote online: "On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa's legendary buffalo. "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. Advertisement "He loved his precious daughter ... more than life itself and leaves her behind, and his ex-wife, who are now facing an unimaginable loss. "Please continue to lift them in prayer for peace and strength in the days ahead." 'THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL' CV Safaris posted on Instagram that they met Watkins and his family at Johannesburg Airport and flew them to the remote Bambisana concession in a private aircraft. On his first day, Watkins successfully shot a waterbuck. Advertisement But on day two, the team encountered a buffalo bull. The animal became hostile and turned hunter, leading to the fatal incident. The CV Safaris website offers a stark warning about Cape buffalo: "No species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape Buffalo. Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year. "The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa. Buffalo hunting is thrilling and exhilarating and at the top of every hunter's wish list. Advertisement "Crafty and belligerent, he seeks refuge in thickets when wounded or when danger approaches. Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked so prepare for the worst. "Buffalo have earned their reputation and can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed. A charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial." Cape buffalo can weigh up to 1.5 tons, reach 11ft in length, and stand 5ft 6in tall. Their horns connect via a thick bone 'boss' across the forehead, with tips spanning up to four feet. Advertisement They are notoriously aggressive and unpredictable – with only lions and humans as natural predators. South African police are believed to have opened an inquest into Watkins' death.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Texan millionaire in Africa on hunting trip gored to death by buffalo
Asher Watkins (52) was stalking a 1.3-tonne 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 Mr Vermaak. It is not known whether the safari team, who were guiding their client on the 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 4-5ft tall. Their horns are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead. Lions and humans are their only predators. Mr 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.' Mr Watkins' social media pages are littered with images of game catches, from slain desert mule deer to hundreds of dead snow geese. 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,' 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. (© The Independent)
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Extra.ie
Hunter gored to death by buffalo he was stalking in South Africa
An American big game hunter was gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking after it ambushed him on safari in South Africa. Millionaire businessman Asher Watkins, who was 52, was on a hunting trip with professional guides and an animal tracker on the trail of a prized 1.3-ton buffalo bull last Sunday. But unexpectedly, and at top speed, the enormous animal emerged from the bushes and charged him at 35mph, slamming into him and killing him almost instantly. African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Okavango Delta, Botswana. (Photo by: Sergio Pitamitz/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) It is not known if the team from the Safari company, shot the buffalo dead, or if it escaped back to its nearby herd. Its believed it costs in the region of €7,500 to take part in a hunt of this kind, and it's thought the man who died, described himself as a keen conservationist, who believed that hunting is a vital part of preserving wildlife, and he had photos on his social media with a dead mountain lion, deer, and hundreds of dead birds. SABI SANDS, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 9: A herd of Cape Buffalo pass tourists on an evening game drive in South Africa (Photo by) It's reported he had also boasted of killing thousands of doves in just three days while on a trip with a group of friends in Argentina. The Cape Buffalo is considered probably the most powerful and dangerous animal in Africa, and will charge at full speed if threatened. The animals have been nicknamed the 'African Black Death' by hunters who have been attacked by them and survived, and the name is often used by Safari companies to attract hunters who want to join in journeys to hunt these magnificent animals.
