A luxury hunting trip in South Africa’s Limpopo Province ended in tragedy when millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was fatally gored by a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo he was stalking.
The Texan businessman, owner of the Watkins Ranch Group, which sells exclusive ranches worth up to £ 30 million, was on safari with a professional hunter and an animal tracker last Sunday, August 3. The group had been tracking the prized bull on a £7,500 hunt when disaster struck.
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
According to Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, who organised the trip, the buffalo — known as Black Death for its deadly reputation — launched a sudden, unprovoked charge at 35mph, slamming into Watkins and killing him almost instantly.
The animal, believed to be unwounded, had not yet been fired upon. Moments before Watkins could take aim, it turned aggressive and attacked, catching the hunter and his team completely off guard. It is unclear if the buffalo was later shot or escaped back to its herd.
A Deadly Reputation
Cape buffalo kill an estimated 200 people in Africa each year, more than any other big-game animal — including lions, rhinos, elephants, and crocodiles. Hunters say the species is unpredictable, highly aggressive, and capable of absorbing multiple gunshots before going down.
Family’s Shock and Grief
Watkins’ mother, Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were staying at the safari lodge when they received the devastating news. His ex-wife, Courtney, and 16-year-old daughter, Savannah, were contacted shortly after.
Courtney, who remained close to Watkins after their 2013 divorce, posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, calling him Savannah’s “best friend” and “the most loving father.” She wrote:
“On Sunday, August 3, Savannah’s father, Asher Watkins, died suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead.”
Friends said Watkins devoted every spare moment to his daughter and shared a deep bond with her.
A Life of Hunting and Adventure
A lifelong hunter raised on Texas farms, Watkins believed big-game hunting was a vital part of wildlife conservation. His social media featured trophy shots of a mountain lion, deer, wildfowl — and even thousands of doves he claimed to have shot with friends in Argentina over three days.
He was a respected member of the Dallas Safari Club and Ducks Unlimited. He held an impressive collection of custom hunting rifles.
Deadly History of Buffalo Hunts
The Limpopo region has seen similar tragedies. In 2018, South African guide Claude Keynhams was gored to death by a buffalo during a hunt. In 2022, another hunter, Benjamin de Bruyn, died instantly when a wounded buffalo charged.
CV Safaris warns hunters on its website:
“No species has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape buffalo… Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked — prepare for the worst.”
