Africa: Buffalo kills hobby hunter

He was an experienced hobby hunter, had an excellent reputation in the trophy hunting scene, and even owned his own company organising safaris for hunting tourists: South African Claude Kleynhans was not someone who would recklessly put himself in danger.

Yet his — not uncontroversial — hobby proved to be his undoing.

The owner of the safari company «Guwela Hunting Safaris», which offered experienced hunting tourists the opportunity to shoot giraffes, lions and elephants, was on a buffalo hunt in his home country. After he had shot one animal, the 54-year-old failed to notice that an enraged bull was launching an attack — striking him with such force that he was killed. The animal severed his femoral artery during the attack, reports the «Huffington Post». Claude Kleynhans died instantly.

African buffaloes are very large — they can reach a shoulder height of up to 1.75 metres. Male animals weigh up to 900 kilograms. The total population is estimated at around 670,000 individuals. They are currently officially classified as «least concern», yet large herds are now found almost exclusively in protected areas. Due to its strength, the buffalo is considered one of the most dangerous animals in the savannah for humans.

While hobby hunters are frequently criticised in Germany, former police officer Kleynhans enjoyed a good reputation and was very popular in South Africa. Following his death and news of the accident, however, critics from around the world have come forward and are posting comments on the Facebook page of the deceased. Often without excessive sympathy. “Animal killers will all end up in hell sooner or later, I love justice«, wrote a German user. «No loss, you murderer«, another one.