FC Conradie, the CEO and co-owner of South Africa’s Gondwana Game Reserve, was tragically killed after being trampled by an elephant while walking on foot inside the private reserve near Mossel Bay.
The fatal incident occurred around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, when Conradie, 39, was reportedly observing elephants at close range. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Conradie was pronounced dead by the time they arrived. The elephant had moved on by then.
Photographs on Conradie’s social media accounts show him frequently approaching elephants on foot to take pictures. He held a degree in zoology and an MBA, and described himself as “passionate about nature and an obsessive traveller.”
Conradie is survived by his wife, La-Ida, and their three children.
Second Fatal Elephant Attack in a Year
This is the second elephant-related fatality reported at Gondwana in just over a year. In 2024, 36-year-old field guide David Kandela was killed by an elephant in what officials called an unfortunate encounter with a typically calm herd. At the time, the reserve emphasized that working with wild animals always carries risk.
The circumstances surrounding Conradie’s death are still under investigation, but early reports suggest parallels with Kandela’s death. According to The Times, guests at the five-star reserve had been previously warned about elephants breaking through fences and entering camp areas.
Remembered for His Passion and Dedication
A source quoted by The Sun said Conradie deeply loved elephants and believed he had developed a special connection with them, though he also understood the dangers of working around wildlife.
“FC was a great guy to work for and he loved his elephants… but you have to never forget they are wild, even in a reserve. He will be greatly missed by all here,” the source said.
In a statement, Gondwana Game Reserve described Conradie as a “passionate conservationist” whose vision helped shape the reserve into one of South Africa’s premier eco-tourism destinations.
“His unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation, community upliftment, and sustainable tourism left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” a spokesperson said.
