Big game hunter crushed to death after elephant he was hunting fell on him

In general, South Africans are enraged by “big game hunters” or anyone that partakes in the hunting of wild animals. Theunis Botha, a professional big game hunter was killed on Friday, by the animal that he himself, was set to kill.

Netwerk24 reports that a member of Botha’s hunting group opened fire at a storming elephant, the elephant then fell onto him. The group of hunters had apparently gone for a walk when they were stormed by a breeding herd of elephants.

Three elephant cows rushed at the hunters, Botha opened fire and soon after a fourth elephant lifted Botha with its trunk.  As the elephant was shot fatally, it fell down crushing Botha. His wife and five children are now left behind.

Botha was known for leading leopard and lion hunting safaris with his pack of dogs. He also made frequent trips to America to “recruit wealthy Americans for trophy hunting in South Africa.”

Botha’s wife is expected to travel to Zimbabwe today to identify and collect his body. Theunis recently lost one of his hunting friends who was also killed while on a hunt. Scott van Zyl was killed by crocodiles in Zimbabwe. His DNA was found in a crocodile’s stomach after van Zyl went missing. Parts of his clothing was also found in another crocodile.

What are your personal thoughts on hunting wild life? The dangers are incredibly clear but for some the ethical issues are not a factor. With so little wild game left in the world, should we really be going out and killing them for fun?