A wealthy American big game hunter was killed by a Cape buffalo during a hunting expedition in the Limpopo province this week.

Asher Watkins (52), a millionaire rancher from Texas, died on 3 August after being fatally gored by the massive animal he was stalking. The British newspaper, The Guardian, reported that buffalo, weighing approximately 1.3 tons and known among hunters by the ominous nickname “Black Death,” charged at Watkins at speeds reaching 56 km/h in what witnesses described as a sudden and unprovoked attack.

The incident occurred while Watkins was tracking the buffalo alongside a professional hunter and tracker from Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris), the company that had organised the hunting expedition, reportedly valued at around R180 000.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” CV Safaris stated in an official release. “On Sunday 3 August, 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.”

Family witnesses tragedy

Furthermore, The Guardian reported that The hunting expedition had been a family affair, with Watkins’s brother, mother and stepfather Tony waiting for him at the safari lodge when the fatal attack took place.

The safari company confirmed it was also providing support to Watkins’s teenage daughter and ex-wife, Courtney, who remained in the United States.

Courtney Watkins confirmed her ex-husband’s death on social media, writing that he died “suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa.”

“It’s a reality that’s still hard to put into words,” she added. “Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead.”

Dangerous games

Cape buffalo are widely regarded as one of Africa’s most dangerous animals to hunt. CV Safaris’ website carries explicit warnings about the species, stating: “No species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape buffalo,” noting that the animals are “responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year.”

The massive animals, which can weigh up to 1,900 pounds, are equipped with large curved horns and are known for their unpredictable and aggressive nature when threatened or cornered.

Watkins, a Texas native, was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group, affiliated with Briggs Freeman and LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. His company biography described him as someone who “spent the better part of his life in the outdoors and on ranches” and was a “proud and devoted father.”

An avid big game hunter, Watkins frequently shared photographs of his hunting expeditions on social media, often posing beside animals he had killed, including deer and mountain lions.

CV Safaris emphasized the devastating nature of the incident and their commitment to supporting the affected family members.

“This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the company stated. “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.”

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