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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Multi-millionaire dies after being mauled, trampled by elephant at luxury safari in South Africa
The co-owner of one of South Africa's most luxurious game reserves was trampled to death by an elephant while attempting to move a herd away from tourist lodges. Francois Christiaan 'FC' Conradie, 39, was attacked by a bull elephant at around 8 am on July 22 while managing a herd inside Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a five-star park he owned which was popular with celebrities and wealthy tourists. The six-ton bull charged without warning, mauled him with its tusks, then stamped on him repeatedly. Rangers were unable to intervene. The attack took place while the £900-a-night lodges were full. It is not known whether guests at the park witnessed the killing. Conradie was CEO and co-owner of the 27,000-acre reserve near Mossel Bay, a four-hour drive from Cape Town. He also ran the Caylix Sport management company and held honours degrees in zoology, animal studies, commerce, and marketing. Staff described him as 'a great guy to work for' who had a 'trust' with the elephants and often photographed them. His wife of ten years, La-ida, 33, and their three young sons, aged 6, 11, and 12, were notified soon after. The family lives in Stellenbosch, where La-ida works for the global accounting firm Moore Stephens. The reserve has experienced a similar tragedy before. In March 2024, a 36-year-old ranger, David Kandela, was killed in nearly identical circumstances. He was guiding a herd through the Eco Tent Lodge area when an elephant attacked. Kandela was gored repeatedly, dragged into the bush, and dismembered by other elephants. Only his head and torso were recovered. A close friend of Kandela later said the reserve failed to contact David's wife and 10-year-old son, who only learned of his death via Facebook. 'She and Damian were left with nothing in compensation… not even offered counselling,' the friend said. Rangers at the time had no firearms, only stones to try to stop the elephant. Both elephants that killed Kandela and Conradie are believed to be from the same herd, long considered a tourist favourite due to its seemingly docile behaviour. A Gondwana staff member told reporters that since Conradie's death, 'everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing or they will be out the same day. It is a big clamp down.' The reserve has not publicly commented on the specific incident. A company statement confirmed Conradie's death, calling it 'a tragic incident' that 'has shaken us all.' It added, 'Our full support is first and foremost with his wife and family… many of (our staff) have lost both a leader and a friend.' Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp confirmed that an inquest has been opened. This is only the latest in a string of fatal elephant encounters in southern Africa. Earlier this month, two tourists, Easton Taylor, 68, from the UK, and Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, were killed by a female elephant with a calf in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, despite guides firing warning shots. In January and February, a ranger and a tourist died in elephant stampedes. African bull elephants can weigh up to six tons, stand 13 feet tall at the shoulder, run at speeds up to 25 mph, and are responsible for an estimated 500 deaths across the continent each year.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Multi-millionaire CEO, 39, trampled to death by elephant at luxury safari in South Africa
A tragic incident unfolded at one of South Africa's most luxurious game reserves as FC Conradie, the multi-millionaire co-owner of Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was killed by a charging elephant. The 39-year-old conservationist was attempting to guide a group of elephants.(Instagram/@fcconradie) The 39-year-old conservationist was attempting to guide a group of elephants away from the tourist lodges when a massive bull turned on him, leading to a fatal mauling, Daily Mail reported. The deadly encounter occurred as Conradie, a well-known figure in South African eco-tourism, tried to move the elephants out of a populated area. The six-ton bull reportedly gored him with its tusks and trampled him multiple times. Despite the efforts of nearby rangers, nothing could be done to save him. (Also read: From ₹5,000 salary to ₹46 LPA: 35-year-old Bengaluru man's 'inspiring' journey goes viral) Gondwana Private Game Reserve, a five-star safari destination near Mossel Bay on the famed Garden Route, is known for hosting celebrities and tourists seeking Big Five encounters. The lodge, which charges nearly £900 per couple per night, was reportedly full at the time of the incident. It remains unclear whether any guests witnessed the violent attack, the report further added. This marks the second fatal elephant encounter at the 27,000-acre reserve in just over a year. In March 2023, 36-year-old David Kandela, a married father of one and staff member, was fatally attacked 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. More about FC Conradie FC Conradie was also the head of the Caylix Group sports management company. Described by staff as deeply passionate about wildlife, particularly elephants, he was often seen photographing the animals he loved most, Daily Mail reported. His wife of 10 years, 33-year-old La-ida, and their three sons, aged 6, 11, and 12, were left devastated by the news. The family lives in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, where La-ida works at global financial firm Moore Stephens. (Also Read: Couple performs sex act in front of children on Florida-bound flight, arrested)
