On August 3, 2025, the vast wilderness of South Africa’s Limpopo Province became the setting for a tragedy that’s left ripples across continents and communities. Asher Watkins, a 52-year-old millionaire Texas rancher and big game hunter, was fatally gored by a Cape buffalo while on a guided safari—an incident that’s reignited conversations about the dangers and ethics of trophy hunting in Africa.
According to multiple reports, Watkins was participating in a hunting expedition arranged by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CVS), a well-known outfitter specializing in big game hunts. The deadly encounter unfolded in the 50,000-acre Bambisana concession, a sprawling tract of bushveld renowned for its wildlife and, perhaps more ominously, its population of Cape buffalo—an animal often referred to as “Black Death.”
Hans Vermaak, the head of CVS, confirmed the details in a statement released to the press. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” Vermaak said, according to Newsweek and other outlets. He described the attack as “sudden and unprovoked,” emphasizing the unpredictability of these formidable animals.
Watkins, accompanied by a professional hunter and a tracker, was following the trail of a prized Cape buffalo when the animal—unwounded but reportedly agitated—charged at a staggering 35 miles per hour. The 1.3-ton beast gored Watkins, killing him almost instantly. At the time, his mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were waiting at the safari lodge, unaware of the tragedy unfolding just miles away.
“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,” Vermaak continued. “We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.”
The Cape buffalo, according to the CVS website and wildlife experts cited by Kenya Wild Parks, is widely regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa—if not the world. The animal is known for its unpredictable temperament and formidable strength, causing “several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year,” as stated by the safari company. Some estimates suggest Cape buffalo kill around 200 people in southern Africa annually, a sobering statistic that underscores the risks involved in such pursuits.
Watkins’ death has sent shockwaves through both the hunting community and his home state of Texas. As the founder and manager of the Watkins Ranch Group, a Dallas-based firm specializing in luxury ranch properties, Watkins was a prominent figure in both real estate and hunting circles. His business affiliations included prestigious brands such as Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.
But Watkins’ legacy extends beyond business. He was an experienced hunter and a vocal supporter of wildlife conservation, maintaining active memberships in organizations like the Dallas Safari Club and Ducks Unlimited. He argued that ethical hunting played a role in sustaining wildlife populations and preserving habitats, a perspective shared by many in the trophy hunting community but hotly debated by critics worldwide.
Close friend Shannon Wherry paid tribute to Watkins online, offering a glimpse into his character and the impact of his loss. “On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face-to-face with one of Africa’s legendary buffalo,” Wherry wrote. “In a moment of fearlessness as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith and adventure. He loved his precious daughter Savannah more than life itself and leaves her behind and his ex-wife who are now facing an unimaginable loss. Please continue to lift them in prayer for peace and strength in the days ahead.”
Tyler Thomas, a real estate colleague, echoed these sentiments in The Dallas Morning News: “Asher had a gregarious personality. He never met a stranger. He was not shy, and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind—which I respected. He was a loyal friend. That’s Asher in a nutshell.”
The tragedy has also renewed scrutiny of trophy hunting practices in Africa, particularly those involving wealthy international clients. Supporters argue that regulated hunting generates crucial revenue for conservation and local communities, funding anti-poaching efforts and habitat restoration. Detractors, however, see it as an outdated and cruel practice that endangers species and perpetuates inequality. Watkins himself stood firmly in the camp that believed ethical hunting could support preservation, though the debate is far from settled.
South African authorities have opened an inquest into Watkins’ death, a standard procedure in cases involving fatalities in the bush. CVS has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and is providing support to the Watkins family both locally and in the United States. “The family and our team members who were present at the time are understandably shaken by this deeply traumatic incident,” Vermaak noted in his statement.
For those who knew Watkins, the loss is deeply personal. His ex-wife Courtney and 16-year-old daughter Savannah are now facing a future without a man described as courageous, adventurous, and deeply devoted to his family. The outpouring of condolences from friends and colleagues across Texas and beyond speaks to the mark he left on so many lives.
As the investigation continues and the Watkins family grieves, the story serves as a stark reminder of both the allure and the peril of big game hunting. The African bush remains as wild and unpredictable as ever—a place where even the most experienced hunters can find themselves at the mercy of nature’s most formidable creatures. For Asher Watkins, a man who lived life fearlessly and passionately, it was a final, fateful encounter with the “Black Death” that brought his adventurous journey to a sudden end.
