Latest news with #Conradie
International Business Times
5 days ago
- International Business Times
Who is FC Conradie? South African Game Reserve CEO Killed by Elephant in Shocking Wildlife Tragedy
July 25, 2025 15:55 +08 A tragic wildlife incident claimed the life of 39-year-old FC Conradie, the CEO of Gondwana Private Game Reserve in South Africa, on July 22. The conservationist and entrepreneur was killed after being attacked by an elephant while walking on the grounds of his own game reserve in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. Local authorities confirmed that emergency responders arrived at the scene around 8:00 a.m. to find Conradie with severe injuries. Paramedics declared him dead shortly after arrival. X The elephant responsible had already left the area by the time help arrived. While exact details remain under investigation, officials have refrained from confirming any specific cause for the animal's aggression. A source familiar with the situation suggested Conradie may have been attempting to steer elephants away from a tourist lodging area when one turned hostile and attacked. This marks the second fatal encounter with elephants at Gondwana within the past year, raising questions about the challenges of managing wildlife interactions, even within protected reserves. Visitors to Gondwana, a luxury safari destination that offers close-up experiences with Africa's Big Five, are routinely reminded to maintain safe distances from wildlife. The reserve released an official statement mourning the death of its CEO, describing him as "a passionate conservationist, a loving husband, and father of three." The tribute emphasized that Conradie's life work centered on the preservation of African wildlife and sustainable tourism. His death, they added, leaves a "deep void" in the conservation community. Gondwana staff have asked for privacy as they grieve and have urged the public to avoid speculation until investigations conclude. The game reserve continues operations under heightened safety reviews.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Multi-millionaire dies after being mauled, trampled by elephant at luxury safari in South Africa
The co-owner of one of South Africa's most luxurious game reserves was trampled to death by an elephant while attempting to move a herd away from tourist lodges. Francois Christiaan 'FC' Conradie, 39, was attacked by a bull elephant at around 8 am on July 22 while managing a herd inside Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a five-star park he owned which was popular with celebrities and wealthy tourists. The six-ton bull charged without warning, mauled him with its tusks, then stamped on him repeatedly. Rangers were unable to intervene. The attack took place while the £900-a-night lodges were full. It is not known whether guests at the park witnessed the killing. Conradie was CEO and co-owner of the 27,000-acre reserve near Mossel Bay, a four-hour drive from Cape Town. He also ran the Caylix Sport management company and held honours degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce, and marketing. Staff described him as 'a great guy to work for' who had a 'trust' with the elephants and often photographed them. His wife of ten years, La-ida, 33, and their three young sons, aged 6, 11, and 12, were notified soon after. The family lives in Stellenbosch, where La-ida works for the global accounting firm Moore Stephens. The reserve has experienced a similar tragedy before. In March 2024, a 36-year-old ranger, David Kandela, was killed in nearly identical circumstances. He was guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area when an elephant attacked. Kandela was gored repeatedly, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by other elephants. Only his head and torso were recovered. A close friend of Kandela later said the reserve failed to contact David's wife and 10-year-old son, who only learned of his death via Facebook. 'She and Damian were left with nothing in compensation… not even offered counselling,' the friend said. Rangers at the time had no firearms, only stones to try to stop the elephant. Both elephants that killed Kandela and Conradie are believed to be from the same herd, long considered a tourist favourite due to its seemingly docile behaviour. A Gondwana staff member told reporters that since Conradie's death, 'everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing or they will be out the same day. It is a big clamp down.' The reserve has not publicly commented on the specific incident. A company statement confirmed Conradie's death, calling it 'a tragic incident' that 'has shaken us all.' It added, 'Our full support is first and foremost with his wife and family… many of (our staff) have lost both a leader and a friend.' Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp confirmed that an inquest has been opened. This is only the latest in a string of fatal elephant encounters in southern Africa. Earlier this month, two tourists, Easton Taylor, 68, from the UK, and Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, were killed by a female elephant with a calf in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, despite guides firing warning shots. In January and February, a ranger and a tourist died in elephant stampedes. African bull elephants can weigh up to six tons, stand 13 feet tall at the shoulder, run at speeds up to 25 mph, and are responsible for an estimated 500 deaths across the continent each year.
Mint
6 days ago
- Mint
‘Never forget they are wild': Elephant tramples 39-year-old millionaire to death; animal lover declared dead at scene
FC Conradie, a 39-year-old millionaire and co-owner of Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa, was trampled to death by an adult male elephant. He was trying to move elephants away from tourist lodges when one suddenly charged. South African police confirmed that 'an employee' was reported to have been killed by an elephant. 'He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant, and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene, and rangers moved the elephant away to another area,' Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp said. The park is popular with celebrities and costs £900 (more than ₹ 1 lakh) per couple per night. It's not clear if guests saw the attack. This was the second deadly elephant attack at the reserve, according to MailOnline. Conradie loved elephants and often photographed them. FC trusted the elephants, but they were still wild. The millionaire lived in Stellenbosch with his wife La-ida and their three sons, aged 6, 11 and 12. Conradie had degrees in zoology, commerce, animal studies and marketing. A senior source said everyone had been warned not to speak. '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 clamp down,' MailOnline quoted the source as saying. '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,' the source said. An investigation is going on as the elephant that killed him may be from the same herd that killed guide David Kandela earlier. In March 2024, guide Kandela was killed when an elephant injured the 36-year-old and other elephants tore him apart. A close friend of David said Gondwana had failed to inform his wife and son about his death. His wife came to know about it through Facebook. The park gave no help or compensation to raise their son, the friend said. David was killed by an elephant named Bonny while guiding her through the Eco Tent Lodge. She suddenly charged at him, and the other rangers had no guns. They only had stones to defend him. Bonny had come from a circus, but no one knew the reason for her coming to the park. According to the friend, two similar deaths in a short time cannot be a 'one-off'.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Wildlife horror: 39-year-old millionaire trampled to death by elephant in South Africa; FC Conradie killed while moving herd
FC Conradie, the co-owner and CEO of one of South Africa's most exclusive game reserves, was tragically killed after being trampled by an elephant while trying to guide the herd away from a tourist lodge. The 39-year-old conservationist and businessman was fatally attacked on Tuesday morning at around 8am at Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a 27,000-acre wildlife haven near Mossel Bay. According to reports cited by The Sun, he was attempting to move a group of elephants away from guest areas when one of the bulls charged without warning. It is understood the six-ton animal gored him with its tusks before repeatedly stamping on him. Despite the swift response from nearby rangers, Conradie died at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that an inquiry has been launched, and a full investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Staff at Gondwana described Conradie as a deeply passionate conservationist, known for his devotion to elephants and his hands-on approach to wildlife management. A senior colleague said, '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.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo His wife of ten years, La-Ida, 33, is said to be 'inconsolable'. The couple had two young children. In a heartfelt statement, the reserve paid tribute to their late CEO, 'FC Conradie was a passionate conservationist whose vision and leadership established us as one of South Africa's leading private game reserves.' This incident marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year. Last year, in March, ranger David Kandela, 36, was killed in similar circumstances when an elephant turned on him during a herding operation. Both fatal attacks involved elephants from the same herd. Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp confirmed, 'He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene and rangers moved the elephant away to another area.' African elephants, particularly bulls, can weigh up to six tonnes and stand as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder. Despite their majestic presence, they are capable of bursts of speed up to 25mph and are responsible for an estimated 500 human deaths across Africa each year. FC Conradie's sudden death has sent shockwaves through South Africa's conservation community and raised fresh questions about safety protocols in wildlife reserves.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Zoo-enthusiast multi-millionaire 'bossman' trampled to death by his 'favourite' elephants
Francois Christiaan Conradie , the multi-millionaire owner of Gondwana Private Game Reserve , was tragically killed on July 22 at 8 am after being trampled by a charging elephant. The incident occurred as Conradie was attempting to guide a group of elephants away from tourist lodges at the luxurious South African game reserve. The six-ton bull elephant reportedly gored Mr. Conradie with its tusks and trampled him multiple times, leaving nearby rangers unable to intervene. "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 clamp down," a senior source at Gondwana stated. "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." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management Project Management MCA Data Science Technology CXO Public Policy Degree Digital Marketing Leadership Finance Cybersecurity Data Science others MBA Data Analytics Others Design Thinking PGDM Management Operations Management Artificial Intelligence healthcare Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Conradie, who also owned the Caylix Group sports management company, was known for his deep passion for elephants and nature. He held honors degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce, and marketing, and was described as "an ambitious entrepreneur and passionate about nature." Gondwana Game Reserve issued a tribute, remembering Mr. Conradie as "more than a leader – he was a mentor, a visionary, and a truly remarkable individual," and a "cherished leader, devoted husband, and father of three." The reserve has requested privacy for the family and appealed to the public to avoid speculation as an investigation into the incident is underway. It remains unknown if guests at the Big 5 reserve, a popular destination for celebrities and tourists, witnessed the violent attack. Disturbingly, this marks the second fatal elephant attack at Gondwana in just over a year. In March 2023, staff member David Kandela, a 36-year-old married father, was killed while guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area. Mr. Kandela was gored, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by elephants, including a former circus elephant named Bonnie. Live Events Mr. Conradie's death has intensified discussions surrounding safety protocols within game reserves, underscoring the inherent risks of working with wild animals. Experts emphasize that even experienced professionals must exercise extreme caution when interacting with elephants, which can exhibit unpredictable behavior despite their generally calm demeanor.
