{"id":2190875,"date":"2026-05-11T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T05:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2190875"},"modified":"2026-05-09T11:52:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:52:57","slug":"black-death-buffalo-shot-dead-after-fatally-goring-millionaire-american-trophy-hunter-in-ambush-while-being-stalked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/black-death-buffalo-shot-dead-after-fatally-goring-millionaire-american-trophy-hunter-in-ambush-while-being-stalked\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Black Death\u2019 buffalo shot dead after fatally goring millionaire American trophy hunter in ambush while being stalked"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE \u201cBlack Death\u201d buffalo that gored a big game hunter to death has been shot dead.<\/p>\n

Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was on Safari in Limpopo, South Africa last Sunday stalking the 3,000lb bull when he was fatally charged at.<\/p>\n

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\"Hunter<\/a>
The animal ambushed Asher Watkins in thick bushland and left him with no chance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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His social media posts would often showcase his many hunts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Without warning, the buffalo \u2013 considered Africa\u2019s most dangerous animal \u2013 burst from cover at 35mph and struck Watkins, killing him almost instantly.<\/p>\n

Moments later\u00a0the hunter, who had been guiding Watkins through the thick bushland, fired at the beast \u2013 killing him with one shot.<\/p>\n

Paramedics rushed to the scene where they confirmed Watkins had died of severe incisions to his stomach and ribs.<\/p>\n

They said: \u201cHe was beyond help except to load his body into the ambulance.\u00a0 He had horrific injuries to his stomach and to his ribs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBuffalo kills are not rare in Limpopo and not many survive but when our guys got there it was clear he must have died instantly from the injuries he had suffered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt was big buffalo and anything standing in the way of a charge would not survive.\u00a0 If left alone they are pretty tolerant but if you upset them it will not end well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe buffalo lay dead where it was shot with a single bullet wound\u201d.<\/p>\n

News<\/span>\u00a0of the buffalo\u2019s death has been met with widespread criticism with many calling for an end to trophy hunting.<\/p>\n

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Watkins\u2019s ex-wife Courtney posted about her former\u2019s partner\u2019s death but was forced to take it down when she received a torrent of hate from trolls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The hunt, organised by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, was reportedly worth a staggering $10,000 (\u00a37,500).<\/p>\n

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Cape buffalo, often dubbed the \u201cBlack Death\u201d, are responsible for about 200 deaths annually and kill more game hunters than lions, elephants, rhinos or crocodiles.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Watkins, a keen conservationist, believed hunting was a vital part of preserving wildlife.<\/p>\n

His social media\u00a0features trophies\u00a0including a mountain lion, numerous deer, wildfowl and even boasts of killing thousands of doves over three days with pals in Argentina.<\/p>\n

But during Sunday\u2019s hunt in the 50,000-acre Bambisana\u00a0concession, a buffalo got wind of the trackers and turned on them.<\/p>\n

Though not believed to be wounded at the time, the bull became agitated and launched a surprise attack.<\/p>\n

Watkins \u2013 raised on Texas farms and taught to shoot from a young age \u2013 was caught off guard and gored in a fatal charge.<\/p>\n

Hunter Hans Vermaak, speaking for CV Safaris, said: \u201cIt is with deep sadness and heavy\u00a0hearts<\/span>\u00a0we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the\u00a0USA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa\u2019s Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo.<\/p>\n

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The 52-year-old was on a safari alongside a professional hunter and tracker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Watkins posing with a dead mountain lion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Watkins said he was a keen conservationist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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\u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watkins\u2019 ex-wife Courtney \u2013 with whom he shared custody of their teenage daughter after splitting in 2013 \u2013 was notified of his untimely death.<\/p>\n

LOVING DAD<\/h2>\n

One of the dad\u2019s close friends said: \u201cHe spent every spare moment he could with [his daughter] and shared his life with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody could love a daughter more than he did. She will be broken to lose Asher, who was her best friend as well as her dad.\u201d<\/p>\n

His mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were staying at the luxury lodge nearby when the tragic news was delivered.<\/p>\n

Watkins ran the successful Watkins Ranch Group in Texas, selling\u00a0luxury ranches\u00a0priced between \u00a31million and \u00a330million.<\/p>\n

He was affiliated with global firm Briggs Freeman Sotheby\u2019s International Realty and was a member of the Dallas Safari Club.<\/p>\n

Friends say he also owned a world-class hunting rifle collection.<\/p>\n

Close pal Shannon Wherry wrote online: \u201cOn an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa\u2019s legendary buffalo.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe loved his precious daughter \u2026 more than life itself and leaves her behind, and his ex-wife, who are now facing an unimaginable loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease continue to lift them in prayer for peace and strength in the days ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL\u2019<\/h2>\n

CV Safaris posted on Instagram that they met Watkins and his family at Johannesburg Airport and flew them to the remote Bambisana concession in a private aircraft.<\/p>\n

On his first day, Watkins successfully shot a waterbuck.<\/p>\n

But on day two, the team encountered a buffalo bull.<\/p>\n

The animal became hostile and turned hunter, leading to the fatal incident.<\/p>\n

The CV Safaris website offers a stark warning about Cape buffalo: \u201cNo species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape Buffalo. Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa. Buffalo hunting is thrilling and exhilarating and at the top of every hunter\u2019s wish list.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrafty and belligerent, he seeks refuge in thickets when wounded or when danger approaches. Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked so prepare for the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuffalo have earned their reputation and can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed. A charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cape buffalo can weigh up to 1.5 tons, reach 11ft in length, and stand 5ft 6in tall.<\/p>\n

Their horns connect via a thick bone \u201cboss\u201d across the forehead, with tips spanning up to four feet.<\/p>\n

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They are notoriously aggressive and unpredictable \u2013 with only lions and humans as natural predators.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

South African police are believed to have opened an inquest into Watkins\u2019 death.<\/p>\n

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‘Black Death’ buffalo: Africa’s most dangerous beast<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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\"NICKNAMED
NICKNAMED the \u201cBlack Death\u201d, the Cape buffalo is the deadliest animal in Africa, responsible for an estimated 200 deaths a year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Weighing up to 1.5 tons and capable of charging at 35mph, these bulls are fiercely territorial and notoriously unpredictable \u2013 often attacking without warning or provocation.<\/p>\n

Their massive horns form a thick bone shield called a \u201cboss\u201d, which can smash bones and flip vehicles.<\/p>\n

Even when shot, they\u2019ve been known to absorb bullets and keep charging.<\/p>\n

Unlike most prey, a wounded buffalo doesn\u2019t run \u2013 it circles back to stalk and kill its pursuer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

This article\u00a0<\/a>by Nicole Cherruault was first published by The Irish Sun on 8 August 2025. Lead Image: Often dubbed the \u2018Black Death\u2019, cape buffalo are known for killing hunters more than lions and rhinos.<\/em><\/p>\n

Help to protect wildlife<\/h2>\n

Protect wildlife by making a monthly donation as little as $5.<\/em><\/p>\n