American trophy hunter killed by buffalo in South Africa
The incident occurred while the 52-year-old was hunting…
Asher Watkins, 52, was attacked and killed by a Cape buffalo during a hunting trip in South Africa.
According to online reports, the American millionaire was an experienced trophy hunter.
Millionaire US big game hunter, Asher Watkins, 52, is gored to death by buffalo he was stalking. So many postive things he could have done with his wealth, he died for a cruel pastime of the rich & selfish. #BanTrophyHunting https://t.co/Gzz1GSRYCT pic.twitter.com/epmQPdWLgI
— Xpose Trophy Hunting (@XposeTrophyHunt) August 7, 2025
Watkins was reportedly on a licensed safari in Limpopo with Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, a prominent hunting operation in South Africa.
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According to The Economic Times, Watkins had already hunted a waterbuck earlier in the trip when he began tracking the Cape buffalo.
The 52-year-old's first shot at the big five animal had missed, which led Watkins to track down the animal.
Jacardan FM News reported that buffalo are actually known to track hunters if they fail to make a kill on the first attempt.
Limpopo Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (LEDET) stated that buffalo can continue to track their hunters for at least three days until they find them.
After Watkins successfully tracked down the Cape buffalo, he attempted to shoot it at close range.
At this point, the animal charged Watkins and gored him to death.
"Once the buffalo had its sight on them, it immediately charged in and targeted the hunter who took the first shot," said LEDET spokesperson Zaid Kalla.
READ: Limpopo Tourism warns about the dangers of hunting buffalo, after deadly incident
"By the time it was permanently put down by a professional hunter present, it had already made deadly contact with the hunter."
Despite there being a professional guide and tracker present, the animal still managed to reach the hunter and kill him.
Cape buffalo: Black Death
Cape buffalo are often referred to as the "Black Death," mostly due to their aggression and unpredictability.
According to The Economic Times, Cape buffalo are responsible for more hunter fatalities on the continent than any other large animal.
They are known to retaliate aggressively when injured or threatened.
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