A prominent Texas real estate tycoon, Asher Watkins, 52, met a tragic demise during a hunting expedition in South Africa’s Limpopo region. Watkins was fatally wounded by a Cape buffalo weighing 1.3 tons that he was pursuing. The safari company that organized the trip, Coenraad and Vermaak Safari, reported that the buffalo, unharmed, charged at Watkins, leading to his instant death.
Coenraad and Vermaak Safari expressed profound grief over the unfortunate incident, confirming Watkins’ death in an official statement. The company characterized the event as a devastating occurrence and extended their sympathies to Watkins’ family and friends. During the ill-starred hunting trip, Watkins was accompanied by a professional hunter and a tracker from the safari company.
Watkins’ mother, Gwen, stepfather, and brother, Amon, were at a safari lodge awaiting his return when the incident transpired. Watkins held the position of CEO at Watkins Ranch Group, a thriving brokerage firm specializing in multi-million-dollar ranches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Further information about the company’s operations can be found on their official website.
A member of the Dallas Safari Club, Watkins was an avid hunter, frequently posting about his hunting adventures on various social media platforms. Born and raised in Dallas, Watkins spent his formative years working on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch, according to his company biography.
Watkins’ former wife, Courtney, and their teenage daughter, Savannah, were also notified about his sudden passing. Courtney shared a nostalgic photo of their daughter and Watkins, expressing her shock and sorrow over the tragic event.
Cape buffalos are renowned for their enormous size, often weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing 5.5 feet tall at the shoulder. Wildlife experts categorize the species as notoriously ill-tempered, especially when injured, and they often move in herds of up to 500 animals.