A wealthy American trophy hunter has died after being gored by a Cape Buffalo he was attempting to kill during a £7,500 hunting trip in South Africa.
The victim, named as 52-year-old Asher Watkins from the United States, was fatally injured during a guided hunt organised by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris in the Limpopo Province. According to a statement from the company, Watkins was tracking the animal alongside a professional hunter and a tracker when the buffalo suddenly charged.
The hunting firm confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “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. 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.”
The company added that they were providing support to Watkins’ family members both in South Africa and back home in the United States as they come to terms with his sudden death.
Reports from The Sun revealed that Watkins had successfully shot and killed a waterbuck on the first day of the trip. On the second day, he set his sights on a Cape Buffalo — one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, known for its aggression and unpredictable nature.
The Cape Buffalo, which can weigh up to 200 stone (approximately 1,270 kg), turned on the hunter and charged with devastating speed. Capable of reaching speeds up to 37 mph, the buffalo struck Watkins with such force that he died almost instantly from the impact.
Cape Buffaloes are considered among the deadliest animals on the African continent, responsible for around 200 human deaths annually according to conservation data. They are particularly feared for their tendency to charge without warning or provocation — behaviour that has earned them the nickname “The Black Death” among hunters and guides.
Images shared on Watkins’ public Facebook page, “Asher Watkins Outdoors,” show him posing with previously hunted game, underscoring his apparent passion for trophy hunting. His ex-wife, Courtney Watkins, later confirmed the tragic news of his death on social media, writing that the family had been “in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since.”
Watkins is believed to have been a successful businessman back in the US, reportedly involved in the sale of luxury ranches, with some listings priced at over £30 million. His hunting trip to South Africa was said to cost around $10,000 — roughly £7,500 — and was part of a high-end safari experience catered to wealthy international clients.
Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, which has been operating since 1970, markets its Cape Buffalo hunts as among the most dangerous and thrilling experiences in African big game hunting. The firm’s website states: “Buffalo are the most dangerous animals to pursue in Africa. Their fearsome reputation is well-earned. They are unpredictable, aggressive, and known to charge hunters — even when not wounded.”
They also note that the risk of fatal encounters is well-documented, with several hunters losing their lives in pursuit of the so-called ‘Big Five’ game animals. While some see this as an acceptable risk in exchange for the thrill of the hunt, conservationists and animal rights activists argue it’s part of a deeply exploitative industry.
Watkins’ death has reignited that debate, with some online commentators calling it a grim example of poetic justice, while others expressed sympathy for his family and the guides involved in the incident.
No further details have been released about the precise circumstances of the fatal goring, and it’s unclear whether local authorities are investigating the incident further. However, it marks another high-profile case of a hunter being killed by the very animal he set out to hunt — a reminder of the dangers that come with big game pursuits, even for the most experienced outdoorsmen