FC Conradie , the co-owner and CEO of one of South Africa’s most exclusive game reserves, was tragically killed after being trampled by an elephant while trying to guide the herd away from a tourist lodge.
The 39-year-old conservationist and businessman was fatally attacked on Tuesday morning at around 8am at Gondwana Private Game Reserve , a 27,000-acre wildlife haven near Mossel Bay.
According to reports cited by The Sun, he was attempting to move a group of elephants away from guest areas when one of the bulls charged without warning. It is understood the six-ton animal gored him with its tusks before repeatedly stamping on him.
Despite the swift response from nearby rangers, Conradie died at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that an inquiry has been launched, and a full investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Staff at Gondwana described Conradie as a deeply passionate conservationist, known for his devotion to elephants and his hands-on approach to wildlife management. A senior colleague said, “FC was a great guy to work for and he loved his elephants which were his favourite and he felt he had a trust with them but you have to never forget they may live in a reserve but are wild.”
His wife of ten years, La-Ida, 33, is said to be “inconsolable”. The couple had two young children.
In a heartfelt statement, the reserve paid tribute to their late CEO, “FC Conradie was a passionate conservationist whose vision and leadership established us as one of South Africa's leading private game reserves.”
This incident marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year.
Last year, in March, ranger David Kandela, 36, was killed in similar circumstances when an elephant turned on him during a herding operation. Both fatal attacks involved elephants from the same herd.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp confirmed, “He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene and rangers moved the elephant away to another area.”
African elephants, particularly bulls, can weigh up to six tonnes and stand as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder. Despite their majestic presence, they are capable of bursts of speed up to 25mph and are responsible for an estimated 500 human deaths across Africa each year.
FC Conradie’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s conservation community and raised fresh questions about safety protocols in wildlife reserves.
The 39-year-old conservationist and businessman was fatally attacked on Tuesday morning at around 8am at Gondwana Private Game Reserve , a 27,000-acre wildlife haven near Mossel Bay.
According to reports cited by The Sun, he was attempting to move a group of elephants away from guest areas when one of the bulls charged without warning. It is understood the six-ton animal gored him with its tusks before repeatedly stamping on him.
Despite the swift response from nearby rangers, Conradie died at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that an inquiry has been launched, and a full investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Staff at Gondwana described Conradie as a deeply passionate conservationist, known for his devotion to elephants and his hands-on approach to wildlife management. A senior colleague said, “FC was a great guy to work for and he loved his elephants which were his favourite and he felt he had a trust with them but you have to never forget they may live in a reserve but are wild.”
His wife of ten years, La-Ida, 33, is said to be “inconsolable”. The couple had two young children.
In a heartfelt statement, the reserve paid tribute to their late CEO, “FC Conradie was a passionate conservationist whose vision and leadership established us as one of South Africa's leading private game reserves.”
This incident marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year.
Last year, in March, ranger David Kandela, 36, was killed in similar circumstances when an elephant turned on him during a herding operation. Both fatal attacks involved elephants from the same herd.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp confirmed, “He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene and rangers moved the elephant away to another area.”
African elephants, particularly bulls, can weigh up to six tonnes and stand as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder. Despite their majestic presence, they are capable of bursts of speed up to 25mph and are responsible for an estimated 500 human deaths across Africa each year.
FC Conradie’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s conservation community and raised fresh questions about safety protocols in wildlife reserves.
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