Millionaire Texas Rancher Fatally Struck by Buffalo He Was Stalking During South Africa Big Game Hunt

An American millionaire and avid big game hunter has died after a tragic encounter with a buffalo during a hunting expedition in South Africa.

Asher Watkins, 52, a ranch trader from Texas, was fatally struck by a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo on Sunday, August 3, while on a hunt in Limpopo, according to multiple reports, including the Daily Mail and Metro. The animal reportedly charged at him at 35 mph.

The trip, estimated to cost nearly $10,000, was arranged through Coenraad Vermaak Safaris. It remains unclear whether the buffalo was later killed or managed to escape after the incident.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” said Hunter Hans Vermaak in a statement on behalf of CV Safaris.

“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,” the statement continued.

“He 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.”

Vermaak added that they are providing support to Watkins’ family members both in South Africa and back in the U.S. as they process the sudden loss.

PEOPLE has reached out to both Coenraad Vermaak Safaris and the South African Police Service for comment.

According to reports from the Daily Mail and Metro, Watkins’ mother Gwen, stepfather Tony, and brother Amon were at the safari lodge waiting for him at the time of the attack.

The safari company also confirmed they are in contact with Watkins’ teenage daughter, Savannah, and his ex-wife, Courtney.

Courtney shared an emotional tribute on Facebook—since removed—expressing grief over Watkins’ passing.

“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,” she wrote alongside an old family photo. “On Sunday, August 3, Savannah’s father, Asher Watkins, died suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa.”

She added, “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.”

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed, or simply held us in your thoughts. Your love has truly carried us through the hardest few days of our lives,” she continued, closing with the Bible verse Psalm 34:18.

A family friend, Jennifer Davis, also honored Watkins in a heartfelt Facebook post.

“Yesterday, our dear friend Asher Austin Watkins, passed onto his reward, to be with the Lord,” she wrote. “On an African hunting safari, surrounded by his beloved mother, Gwen, brother, Amon and stepdad, Tony….Asher came face-to-face with one of Africa’s legendary Big Five—a Cape buffalo.”

“In a moment as fearless as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith, and adventure,” she added. “If you knew Asher, you knew his faith, his adventurous spirit, and that signature wink that always let you know he was up to something. He loved his daughter, Savannah, more than life itself. Asher was a steady presence in the lives of those who knew him.”

She noted that Watkins leaves behind his daughter Savannah and ex-wife Courtney, who are now navigating an unimaginable loss. A Meal Train has been organized to help support them during this difficult time.

Watkins, who maintained a Facebook page highlighting his outdoor pursuits, was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group. According to the company’s website, he was an expert in the “purchase and sale of Ranch and Land properties across Texas and Oklahoma,” with knowledge rooted in a lifetime spent on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch near Dallas.