Texas millionaire fatally attacked by buffalo during safari hunt in South Africa
A wealthy Texas ranch realtor was tragically killed by a Cape buffalo while on a hunting expedition in South Africa, according to reports.
Asher Watkins, 52, was tracking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in the Limpopo region on Sunday when the animal suddenly charged and fatally gored him. The incident occurred during a guided hunt organized by Coenraad and Vermaak Safari.
“The buffalo was not wounded,” the safari company stated, adding that Watkins had been accompanied by one of their professional hunters and a tracker at the time.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend, Asher Watkins from the USA,” the company said. “This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones.”
Watkins’ mother, Gwen, stepfather, and brother Amon were reportedly waiting for him at a safari lodge when the fatal attack occurred.
He was the founder of Watkins Ranch Group, a successful brokerage that specialized in multi-million-dollar ranch properties across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. According to his company biography, Watkins was raised in Dallas and spent much of his youth working on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch.
An avid outdoorsman, Watkins was actively involved in the Dallas Safari Club and frequently shared his hunting experiences on social media. His ex-wife, Courtney, and their teenage daughter, Savannah, were also informed of his death.
“This photo is from another time, another chapter of our lives—but it’s one that will always be a part of our daughter’s story,” Courtney wrote in a now-deleted post featuring an old picture of the family. “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.”
Cape buffalo are known to be among Africa’s most dangerous animals. They can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, stand over five feet tall at the shoulder, and are known for their aggressive behavior, especially when threatened. The species often travels in herds of hundreds and is considered one of the continent’s most unpredictable wild animals.
