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NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Multi-Millionaire CEO, 39, Trampled To Death By Elephant At South African Game Reserve
In a tragic incident, the multi-millionaire owner of one of South Africa's top game reserves was trampled to death by a charging elephant. According to The Daily Mail, the incident happened at 8 am on July 22 at Gondwana Private Game Reserve, when FC Conradie was attempting to guide a group of elephants away from the tourist lodges. However, the task went wrong when the six-ton bull turned on him. The elephant reportedly gored Mr Conradie with its tusks and trampled him multiple times, leaving nearby rangers powerless to save him despite their best efforts. FC Conradie, who also owned the Caylix Group sports management company, was described by staff as having a deep passion for elephants and nature, often venturing out to photograph them. He had honours degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce and marketing, and was known as an "ambitious entrepreneur and passionate about nature". A senior source at Gondwana said, "Because he is the boss man, everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing or they will be out the same day, it is a big clamp down. 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. He will be greatly missed by all here." Gondwana Game Reserve paid tribute to Mr Conradie, describing him as a cherished leader, devoted husband, and father of three. "FC was more than a leader – he was a mentor, a visionary, and a truly remarkable individual," the reserve stated, and requested privacy and space for the family during this challenging period. The team also appealed for the public to avoid speculation as the investigation into the incident continues. It is not yet known whether guests at the Big 5 reserve, home to lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and Africa's southernmost elephant herd, witnessed the violent attack Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a luxurious five-star safari lodge near Mossel Bay along the renowned Garden Route, is a popular destination for celebrities and tourists seeking Big Five experiences. With rates of nearly 900 pounds per couple per night, the reserve was fully booked during the incident. Notably, this is the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year. In March 2023, David Kandela, a 36-year-old married father and staff member, was killed while guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area. Mr Kandela was gored, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by elephants, including a former circus elephant named Bonnie. Mr Conradie's death has sparked debate about safety protocols in game reserves, highlighting the risks that come with working around wild animals. Experts suggest that even seasoned professionals like Mr Conradie need to exercise extreme caution when interacting with elephants, which can be unpredictable despite their calm nature.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
South African Game Reserve Owner, Multi-Millionaire CEO Trampled To Death By Elephant
Last Updated: FC Conradie, owner of Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was trampled to death by an elephant while guiding them away from tourist lodges. In a tragic incident, the multi-millionaire, FC Conradie, owner of one of South Africa's top game reserves, was trampled to death by a charging elephant. According to The Daily Mail, the incident occurred when Conradie was attempting to guide a group of elephants away from the tourist lodges at 8 am on July 22 at Gondwana Private Game Reserve. However, the task went wrong when the six-ton bull turned on him. The elephant reportedly gored Conradie with its tusks and trampled him multiple times, leaving nearby rangers powerless to save him despite their best efforts. Conradie's staff said that he had a deep passion for elephants and nature, often venturing out to photograph them. Conradie also owned the Caylix Group sports management company. He had honours degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce and marketing, and was known as an 'ambitious entrepreneur and passionate about nature", NDTV reported. 'Because he is the boss man, everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing, or they will be out the same day. It is a big clampdown. 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. He will be greatly missed by all here," NDTV quoted a senior source at Gondwana as saying. The Gondwana Game Reserve honoured Conradie's memory, describing him as a beloved leader, devoted husband, and father of three. They praised him as 'more than a leader – a mentor, visionary, and remarkable individual." The reserve requested privacy for the family during this difficult time and asked the public to refrain from speculation while the investigation is ongoing. It is not yet known whether guests at the Big 5 reserve, home to lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and Africa's southernmost elephant herd, witnessed the violent attack The luxurious Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a 5-star safari lodge near Mossel Bay on the Garden Route, attracts celebrities and tourists seeking Big Five experiences. With nightly rates of around 900 pounds per couple, the reserve was fully booked when the incident occurred. This incident marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year. In March 2023, 36-year-old staff member David Kandela was killed by elephants while guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area. Kandela was gored, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by elephants, including a former circus elephant named Bonnie. Conradie's death has sparked debate about safety protocols in game reserves, highlighting the risks that come with working around wild animals. According to the experts, even seasoned professionals like Conradie need to exercise extreme caution when interacting with elephants, which can be unpredictable despite their calm nature, NDTV reported. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Gondwana Game Reserve CEO dies after being trampled by elephant
The CEO of Gondwana Private Game Reserve died on Tuesday after being trampled by an elephant. Image: LinkedIn What was meant to be an ordinary morning at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape turned into tragedy when its CEO and co-owner, FC Conradie, was fatally trampled by an elephant. The 39-year-old wildlife advocate and respected conservation leader lost his life during an incident that has left the reserve community and conservationists across the country shaken. According to Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp of the KwaNonqaba Police Station, the fatal incident occurred at around 8am on Tuesday, July 22. Witnesses reported that Conradie had been on the property when the elephant charged and trampled him. Emergency medical services were called to the scene but was declared dead on arrival. "The elephant involved in the incident has since been moved from the area as a precaution," said Kapp, adding that an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the event. A close family friend and spokesperson for Gondwana Private Game Reserve, who chose to remain anonymous, described the death as a heartbreaking loss for everyone at the reserve. "We ask that people respect the privacy of the family while they are grieving such a tragic loss. This was a tragedy, and everyone who knew him is dealing with an unimaginable loss," he said. He also urged the public to refrain from speculation as the investigation continues. The South African conservation community has expressed its condolences to the Conradie family and the Gondwana team, mourning the loss of a passionate leader dedicated to protecting wildlife. Tributes have been pouring in on social media. Conservationist and group member Andries Erwee honoured Conradie in a heartfelt Facebook post on 'Kalahari-Vasbyt', sharing how he had financially supported the group's tree-planting project. 'He made a difference in people's lives and in conservation,' the post read. Gondwana Private Game Reserve, located near Mossel Bay, is known for its conservation efforts and wildlife experiences, including Big Five sightings. According to SANParks and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, elephant behaviour is typically non-aggressive, but stress, territorial threats, or unpredictable stimuli can sometimes lead to fatal encounters. Safety protocols for managing wildlife interactions are a critical part of reserve operations, and any fatality is taken extremely seriously. The incident brings to light the risks conservationists and rangers face daily when working closely with wild animals. The reserve has not confirmed whether Conradie was following a specific protocol at the time of the encounter. IOL Travel Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
This Brazilian wildlife hotspot is cheaper than an African safari
With its elongated nose, 60cm-long tongue and wiry, feather-duster tail, it's hard to see a giant anteater as anything more than the fever dream of a desperate cartoonist. My guide Dai Scapini has bundled me out of our van in southwest Brazil, and we're watching as it swaggers across the dirt road, its white and black-banded body sashaying a bushy tail with each step. We can get so close because this creature's hearing and sight are sufficiently poor that it could do with a cane to get around. But its comedic nose makes up for these shortcomings; soon it smells us and flees into the bushes, leaving just one beady eye peering vexatiously through the undergrowth. Brazil's stunning coast hit our screens last year when it appeared in the second series of Celebrity Race Across the World. However, I've been lured to this South American country for an entirely different reason. Sometimes dubbed the Brazilian Serengeti, the Pantanal contains the highest concentration of wildlife in South America – even more so than the Amazon Jungle. And while Africa has become synonymous with safaris, more affordable Brazil has flown under the radar. Catching the Great Migration through Tanzania and Kenya or spotting the notorious 'Big Five' game animals comes with a sobering price tag: seven-day holidays rarely cost less than £3,000 per person. But Brazil has its own 'Big Five': the capybara, giant river otter, maned wolf, jaguar, and – tick – the giant anteater. With all-inclusive lodges costing from £120 per person per night, it promises an affordable alternative to a traditional safari. Much the same as the savanna of Tanzania's Serengeti, the Pantanal is a flat expanse of grassland, stippled by islands of lollypop-shaped carnauba palms and knobbly-trunked trumpet trees. And, much like Botswana's Okavango Delta, the land transforms with the seasons, flooding between May and October to become a glassy wetland twice the size of Iceland. Wildlife watching is centred around the region's farms; 95 per cent of the Pantanal lies within private land, which has been squeezed into regimented fields and planted with distinctive white zebu cattle, whose humps of muscle and fat on their necks are a local delicacy. My first stop, three and a half hours by mostly paved road from the regional airport, Campo Grande, and 20 minutes beyond our giant anteater encounter, is Pousada Pequi, a family-run lodge and working ranch. It offers homely simplicity, plus an introduction to the region's nature; burnt orange passion butterflies flutter on pink ixora bushes and blue and yellow macaws screech from the acai palms. In the early mornings and late afternoons, I hop into their jeep, whose tiered, open-air seating replicates those used for game drives in Africa, and we rattle along meandering tracks through the savannah. Giant anteaters are the lodge's main draw; however, its birdlife is legendary, too. Dai points out treetop boxes built to mimic the nests of the Pantanal's trademark bird, the hyacinth macaw. She tells me how thirty years ago, only 500 remained in the wild: 'more as a pet in the US than free in Brazil.' Macaws are particular to a fault about where they nest; deforestation of the manduvi tree meant human housebuilding was the only way to save the species. Since then, the population has exploded to 10,000; we don't have to go far before we spot these huge birds, inky blue like dusk, squabbling in the trees. I continue northwest to Fazenda San Francisco, where half of its 15,000 hectares of cattle land and rice paddies have been set aside for conservation. Dai drops a bombshell: giant river otters are possible but rare to see here, and there's no time to visit Fazenda Barranco Alto, a lodge further north where they're far easier. But I've high hopes for two more of Brazil's Big Five: the capybara and the jaguar. After all, conservationists estimate that the Pantanal contains the highest density of jaguars in the Americas — that's around 15 per cent of the world's population. I'm received by Roberta Coelho, one of the owners, who bears good news. She signals with her bamboo cane down the lodge's drive: 'Last night, a jaguar walked right down this road,' she informs me eagerly. A seven-year research project estimated that up to twenty individuals inhabit the area, attracted by easy access to their favourite foods: capybara, caiman and marsh deer. Visitors spot one nearly every night, and last night was no different. It also included two very special sightings: the normally hard-to-find ocelot, plus a maned wolf, so elusive that in 10 years of guiding, Dai has only seen one four times. There's plenty to do on the ranch while I wait. A boardwalk over a swollen river offers a stroll across a bewitching landscape of palm trees reflected in silvery water, while a sunset paddle by kayak on a small lake allows me to drift beside families of capybara, betting on a small island as a safe refuge from the night's predators. As dusk falls, we head out by jeep, using a powerful torch to scan the fields and trees marking the edges of the dirt road. Suddenly, it alights on a foxlike creature slumbering in tall grasses; it's only when it begins to unfold its great limbs that its distinctive dappled orange and black coat reveals it to be a jaguar. It pays us no heed and begins to stalk through the field, its movements fluid, almost serpentine. We hold our breath, captivated as it lifts its face towards us as if to dare us to follow, before slinking away into the gloom. Back at the ranch, I reflect on my trip. I didn't see the full five, but I'd been a whisker away from four of them. The Pantanal certainly isn't Africa, but for a wildlife experience as unique as it is affordable, few destinations can compare. Steph Dyson was hosted by Visit Pantanal. LATAM flies from London Heathrow to Campo Grande via São Paulo, from £550 return. Overnight stays at Pousada Pequi and Fazenda San Francisco start from £240 per night, all-inclusive for a double room. English-speaking guides and transfers cost extra. Wildlife watching is best between November and April during the dry season.
Time Out
7 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Airlink adds second daily flight between Johannesburg and Walvis Bay
Exciting news for travellers - Airlink is growing bigger, providing more connections between African countries. The airline has added an extra daily flight to Walvis Bay, Namibia. " This is a second daily flight that Airlink introduced on the 4th of July 2025 in response to increased demand for travel on the route," says Airlink's Public Relations officer, Linden Birns. These are the details for the daily schedule on that route: Flight no: 4Z 141 Johannesburg – Walvis Bay Departs: 10.20 Arrives: 12.55 Flight no: 4Z 142 Walvis Bay – Johannesburg Departs: 13.40 Arrives: 15.45 Flight no: 4Z 143 Johannesburg – Walvis Bay Departs: 14.05 Arrives: 16.40 Flight no: 4Z 144 Walvis Bay – Johannesburg Departs: 17.25 Arrives: 19.45. The airline is also "considering the viability of launching flights to Nacala," says Birns. 'As an airline responsive to the evolving needs of its customers and markets, Airlink regularly engages with destination representatives to explore network opportunities. This includes Mozambique, which is an important Airlink market where we currently provide scheduled services between South Africa and Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Vilanculos, Pemba and Tete," says Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht. Tourists to Johannesburg Johannesburg is one of the leading tourist destinations in South Africa. The city has world-class entertainment facilities. Many people travel to the city to visit the national parks, where they may observe the Big Five, shop in some of the largest malls in Africa, savour traditional food at well-known restaurants, and tour Soweto to see the former homes of two global icons, the late Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. In April 2024, Mozambique was the second-largest source of tourists for South Africa within the SADC region.
