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.
This isn’t remotely like an American bison.
You can be rather dense at times.
You’re not really hunting unless you are also the hunted.
“unprovoked”. HAH!
Your presence within 1000 feet is provocation to a Cape Buffalo.
This critter DEFINES the phrase *angry at the world*.
In Africa, hunters are probably being hunted by multiple things at the same time.
A woman who works at a zoo said the Cape buffalo are the meanest animals in they have.
Other than both are large, dangerous, often ill-tempered, irascible beasts. But yes, I don’t think they’re particularly close, on a biological family tree.
“Maybe it was wounded.”
Read through paragraph 3, 1st sentence.
More than one safari guide said he’d rather find himself next to a lion than to a Cape Buffalo on a bush walk. During the day, lions can be intimidated, but Cape Buffalo are never intimidated. They are also one of the few hooved animals that will come to the aid of one of their own. All of the other hooved animals choose flight over fight.
Ah, the same one that says it was unprovoked. I shoulda saw that.
To add to the very real danger of these hunts. I know of a guy who went on one and found himself being shot at by poachers. He returned fire and killed one of the poachers. The safari company got him out of country asap, before the government might decide to charge him with murder.
You may think you are hunting them when they are hunting you.
Davis alert!
I feel for the guy and his friends and family but hunting dangerous game is um....dangerous.
You’re hunting an animal with the intent to kill it and mount his head on your wall…but it’s an “unprovoked“ attack.
I don’t think that word means what the reporter thinks it means.
Poetic justice aside, I read a long time ago that Cape Buffalo are/were considered the world’s most dangerous land animal in that once a herd notices you, they encircle you, and proceed to stomp/gore you to death. High powered rifles, land rovers and helicopters is cheating in my book. Want to impress the ladies, do it with a sharpened stick.
I believe buffalo extermination was feral government policy to deprive the indigenous population of a primary food source.
Watch, "Battle at Kruger," on YouTube. It's any amazing piece of wildlife cinematography. It's essentially a 3-way brawl between lions, crocodiles and cape buffalo over a cape buffalo calf.
The cape buffalo come out on top.
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