Wealthy Texan met a tragic fate while pursuing a Cape buffalo hunting excursion in South Africa, as the beast ultimately impaled him with its powerful horns in a deadly attack.
In the Limpopo Province of South Africa, tragedy struck during a hunting expedition in 2018 when hunter Claude Kleynhans was killed by a Cape buffalo. The incident took place with Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, a company that warns of the dangers associated with hunting Cape buffaloes, which are known to be the most dangerous animals to pursue in Africa.
Cape buffaloes, part of the African "Big Five" game animals, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. These formidable creatures are often described as extremely dangerous and elusive, known for circling back, stalking, and attacking or killing hunters. The animal's reputation has earned it nicknames such as "the mafia of the bush" and "black death."
Sadly, Cape buffalo attacks on hunters are not uncommon. Each year, several deaths and many injuries to hunters occur in South Africa, according to statements from safari companies. The incident involving Asher Watkins, an American trophy hunter, in August 2025, is a stark reminder of this danger. Watkins, a managing partner for Watkins Ranch Group, was killed during a hunting trip in the Limpopo Province.
Prior to his fatal encounter, Watkins had hunted various animals, including mule deer and mountain lions. However, it was during his pursuit of a Cape buffalo that the attack occurred, which was sudden and unprovoked. The attack took place in the presence of other members of his hunting party, including his mother, stepfather, brother, and a lodge.
Hunting tourism involving Cape buffaloes and other Big Five animals is economically significant in South Africa, generating $169 million annually. Despite the financial gain, the danger posed by these animals is not overlooked. Safari operators and local authorities treat Cape buffalo hunting with serious caution due to the risk involved.
While exact aggregated statistics on total attacks or fatalities per year are not widely published in detailed numeric form, the recurring fatal incidents and multiple injuries each year indicate a non-negligible risk during Cape buffalo hunts. For those seeking more precise statistical data, contacting South African wildlife or hunting regulatory agencies or reviewing comprehensive reports on hunting accidents may provide further insight.
This latest incident involving Asher Watkins is another example of the risks associated with hunting Cape buffaloes in particular. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that come with big game hunting, where hunters sometimes become the hunted.
In a tragic turn of events, another hunter in Virginia was killed by a bear falling from a tree this year. These incidents underscore the inherent risks involved in hunting and the importance of respecting and understanding the animals one seeks to hunt.
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Sports such as trophy hunting can be dangerous, especially when pursuing elusive and aggressive animals like Cape buffaloes, known for their reputation as "the mafia of the bush" and "black death". Several tragic incidents, including the death of Asher Watkins in a sudden and unprovoked attack during a Cape buffalo hunt in 2025, highlight the risks involved.
