Posted on 08/09/2025 6:16:30 PM PDT by BenLurkin
A Texas real estate magnate and trophy hunter was killed by a Cape buffalo during a hunting expedition in South Africa, according to a safari company, which described the incident as "sudden and unprovoked."
Asher Watkins had been tracking the bull for a kill when the large horned animal staged an attack first.
"Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo he was tracking together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers," said Hans Vermaak, leader of the safari company Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CVS), in a statement.
"The family and our team members who were present at the time are understandably shaken. Out of respect for the family's privacy as well as our staff members involved, we will not be sharing further details," Vermaak also said.
He described Watkins and his family as "long-standing friends and part of the CVS family."
Cape buffalo are considered one of the "most 'wanted' dangerous game animal by trophy hunters across the globe," according to the safari company.
No other animal has "a more fearsome reputation than a cape buffalo!," the safari company said.
"Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year, the buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world," CVS also said.
The nature of Watkins' death – being killed by the same animal he had sought to take down – sparked discussions online among animal rights groups and activists on the ethics of trophy hunting.
"Asher Watkins went on a luxury hunting trip in South Africa when he stalked a Cape buffalo," animal rights group PETA wrote on Instagram. "The terrified buffalo was cornered and retaliated. Animals aren't trophies or wall decorations. Trophy hunting must end!"
A comment under the post that said "cheers to the buffalo" has racked up thousands of likes.
Watkins led the real estate brokerage firm Watkins Ranch Group, where he was responsible for multimillion-dollar properties across Texas, Colorado and Arkansas.
Watkins was a lifelong outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, according to his company biography.
Watkins' mother Gwen, daughter Savannah, brother Amon and stepfather Tony are among his surviving relatives, the safari company said.
” ... unprovoked attack .... “
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I don’t know all the details but if you’re in the animal’s space, you’re threatening to the animal. Sort of like if a lion is in their space.
Had a chance to go on one of those hunts while living in Tanzania. I think I was 20 or so, and said “no thanks”.
It says unprovoked and then it says he was tracking it, so I don’t know.
Maybe it was wounded.
“...a sudden and unprovoked attack”
Maybe the buffalo didn’t want to be killed and have its head hung on a wall somewhere. That hardly counts as “unprovoked.”
Sometimes you are the bug. And sometimes you are the windshield.
Sometimes the bull....er Cape Buffalo wins sir
Seems like shooting it from a helicopter would be a better approach.
Smiling. Just smiling.
It’s not the kill, it’s the thrill of the chase.
You mess with the Cape Buffalo. You get the horns.
>> the incident as “sudden and unprovoked.”
lol, the irony...
Sounds like some other species native to that region.
Sounds more like self defense...
They are fast, and if you don't get the heart, they aren't going down. And you generally are supposed to be within 40 meters before shooting, so....
Getting killed by a cape buffalo was not on my bucket list, so I took a pass.
Chalk one up for the slaughtered animals.
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