LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA — A 52-year-old American trophy hunter from Texas, Asher Watkins, was tragically gored to death by a buffalo he was hunting during a safari in South Africa’s Limpopo province. The incident, which occurred last Sunday, has been confirmed by the safari company that organized the trip.
Watkins was on a hunting safari organized by Conrad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris), a well-known outfitter in the region. He was reportedly tracking a 1.3-ton African buffalo, an animal often referred to by hunters as the “Black Death” due to its unpredictable and aggressive nature. According to the safari company, the buffalo unexpectedly charged at Watkins, who was accompanied by a professional hunter and a tracker, killing him almost instantly.
A statement from CV Safaris, reported by multiple news outlets including The Metro and The Independent, confirmed the tragic event. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” the company said. “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.”
The company’s statement also mentioned that it is providing support to Watkins’s family, who were reportedly waiting for him at the safari lodge when the accident occurred.
Watkins was known as a trophy hunter who frequently shared photos of his kills on social media. His death has reignited the global debate over the ethics and dangers of big-game hunting. The Cape buffalo is considered one of the most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa, and the CV Safaris website itself carries a warning about its fearsome reputation and the risks involved.
It remains unclear whether the buffalo was shot and killed after the incident or if it escaped.
