On a quiet Sunday in August, tragedy struck deep in South Africa’s Limpopo Province when 52-year-old American millionaire Asher Watkins was fatally gored by a Cape Buffalo during a luxury trophy hunt. Watkins, a successful real estate broker known for selling multimillion-pound ranches, had booked the £7,500 trip with Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, one of the country’s top big-game operators.
On the first day, Watkins successfully hunted a waterbuck, but on day two, he targeted a Cape Buffalo—an animal the safari company calls “the most dangerous to pursue in Africa.” Accompanied by a professional hunter and an experienced tracker, the team tracked the massive beast into the bush. Without warning, the unwounded buffalo turned and charged at speeds of up to 37 mph, fatally goring Watkins in seconds.
The safari company confirmed the incident, calling it a “sudden and unprovoked attack” and offering condolences to Watkins’ family. His ex-wife Courtney expressed “shock and heartbreak,” saying they never imagined losing him this way. His body will be repatriated to the U.S.
The news quickly went viral, igniting fierce debate over trophy hunting ethics. Critics labeled the incident “karma,” while supporters defended his legal right to hunt. Cape Buffalos are notorious for unpredictable and lethal charges, killing multiple hunters each year.
In a final twist, the buffalo walked away uninjured—leaving behind a stark reminder that in the wild, even the hunter can become the hunted.
