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Millionaire trophy hunter killed by ‘Black Death’ buffalo he was hunting on African safari

Asher Watkins was stalking a 1.3-tonne buffalo when the agitated animal suddenly slammed into him, killing the millionaire almost instantly.

Updated on: Aug 7, 2025, 07:59:03 IST
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An American millionaire, who was known as a big game hunter, was brutally killed while on a South African safari by a buffalo he was trying to kill. According to reports, 52-year-old Asher Watkins from Texas died while he was tracking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in Limpopo province.

Texan millionaire Asher Watkins was killed during a hunting trip in South Africa. (Facebook/Asher Watkins Outdoors)
Texan millionaire Asher Watkins was killed during a hunting trip in South Africa. (Facebook/Asher Watkins Outdoors)

“Sudden and unprovoked attack”

Coenraad Vermaak Safaris (CV Safaris) addressed the incident in a statement, reported the Metro. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. On Sunday while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured, in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo.”

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The agency expressed its grief over the incident, adding that it is doing everything possible to support Watkins’ family. "This is a devastating incident and our hearts go out to his loved ones. 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.”

What happened?

According to a report by the Metro, a Cape Buffalo bull, known as the Black Death, suddenly charged towards Watkins and slammed into him. The agitated animal killed the millionaire ‘almost instantly’. It is unclear if the animal has been put down.

“He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers," CV Safaris said in a statement.

Ex-wife speaks out:

Watkins' former wife opened up about the tragedy, adding that their daughter is in a state of shock. “It’s a reality that’s still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad. We’ve been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it,” she told the outlet.

Also Read: 73-year-old grandmother mauled to death by pit bulls high on cocaine

Watkins was an American trophy hunter who frequently shared visuals of himself with corpses of various animals, including deer, ducks, and mountain lions.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.Read More