A South African big game hunter was crushed to death Friday after an elephant shot by his hunting crew fell on him.
Theunis Botha, a well-known South African hunter and father of five, was on a walk with a group of hunters on a hunting reserve in Zimbabwe when they came across a pack of breeding elephants, according to News24.
When several elephant cows stormed the hunters, Botha shot at them. A fourth elephant then stormed them from the side and lifted Botha with her trunk. Another hunter fatally shot the elephant, and as the cow collapsed, she fell on Botha.
South African hunter crushed to death by elephant https://t.co/fWqUIK6Kcz pic.twitter.com/PFgzhCKsTr
— MSN Ireland (@msnireland) May 22, 2017
Botha frequently led hunting groups across various African big game reserves, many of which included wealthy Americans, according to News 24. Botha “perfected Leopard and Lion hunting safaris with hounds,” and pioneered “European Style Driven Monteria hunts” in South Africa, according to his hunting company’s website.
Botha’s personal YouTube channel doesn’t hide much of his work. Edited videos show Botha and his hunting crews shooting elephants, leopards, and lions, backed by dramatic music and heartbeat sound effects.
The absurd irony of Botha’s death was not lost on Twitter, with many commenting on how Botha’s death was justified considering his line of work.
Not one God damned ounce of sympathy. I hope if hurt like hell!
— Fed•Up•In•The•Heartland (@LillyMinietta) May 21, 2017
I thought the "dying elephant kills game hunter" was the karma story of the day. But then a sinkhole opened next to the Mar-a-Lago Club.
— Shannon Donnelly (@pbdnsociety) May 22, 2017
The guy had a high powered rifle and the elephant *still* won. Karmas a bitch
— Rogue CPI (@RogueCPI) May 22, 2017
Others weren’t as quick to talk about karma so soon after someone’s death.
Hate what he did but he didn't deserve to die. Some of you are evil.
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) May 22, 2017
Botha’s death comes just after his friend and fellow big game hunter, Scott Van Zyl, was killed by a crocodile on the banks of the Limpopo River in Zimbabwe, BBC reports. Van Zyl’s remains were found in the carcass of a crocodile shot by authorities in mid-April.
H/T Washington Post