Millionaire and hobby hunter killed by a buffalo in Africa
A wealthy American trophy hunter was gored and killed by a buffalo he was attempting to shoot during a trip to South Africa.
Asher Watkins, 52, was hunting a 1.3-tonne Cape buffalo bull, known as “Black Death”, on Sunday when the animal suddenly charged at him at a speed of 65 kilometres per hour.
It rammed the 52-year-old after becoming increasingly agitated, killing him almost instantly.
The buffalo is considered the most dangerous animal to Africa hunt. Buffalo hunting is exciting and thrilling and tops the wish list of every hobby hunter.
Asher’s ex-wife Courtney paid tribute to him, saying their teenage daughter was “in a state of shock”.
She said: “It is a reality that is still difficult to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the coming days, especially for Savannah, who is mourning the loss of her father. We have been in a state of shock and grief, trying to process not only the loss itself but also the complexity that comes with it.”
Asher, a ranch broker from Texas, mistakenly believed that hunting was an important part of protecting wildlife, and his social media is filled with photos of him posing beside dead mountain lions and game birds.
During his stay in Argentina, he boasted of killing thousands of doves with friends in just three days.
Asher was the owner of the Watkins Ranch Group, which sold exclusive ranches worth between 1 and 30 million pounds.
A Cape buffalo can weigh 1.5 tonnes, measure 3.35 metres in length and stand 1.68 metres tall. Its horns are joined by a solid block of bone across the forehead, with tips that can be up to 1.22 metres apart.
They are unpredictable and aggressive, and their only enemies are humans and lions.
The safari website describes the animal as “the most dangerous animal to hunt in Africa.”
It states: “No other species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than the Cape buffalo. It is responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hobby hunters every year. It is cunning and combative and seeks refuge in the thicket when wounded or in danger. Buffalo are known to attack without provocation, so prepare for the worst.”
