Big game hunter crushed to death

[Al Bundy]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-n...nter--10469997

A professional big game hunter is dead after he was crushed by a wounded elephant as it was fatally shot.

Theunis Botha, 51, was on a hunt in Gwai, Zimbabwe, when his gro[/URL]up was charged by four breeding elephants.

A female elephant picked up Botha in her trunk after he fired at the others and collapsed on top of him - crushing him to death - after she was shot by another hunter.

Heartbroken friends described the married father-of-five as a "legend", while opponents of big game hunting offered little sympathy following his passing.


Theunis Botha was killed by an elephant when he was on a hunt in Zimbabwe (Photo: Facebook)

Botha often took wealthy foreigners on hunts for leopards and other animals (Photo: Theunis Botha/Youtube)

Botha and two other men pose with the giant tusks of an elephant
Botha, from the South African town of Tzaneen, and the rest of the group were out for a walk on Friday afternoon when they came across the herd.

A source told Netwerk24 that Botha shot at three elephant cows as they stormed the hunters.

A fourth cow stormed from the side, lifted Botha with her trunk and was fatally shot by another hunter. The elephant then collapsed onto Botha.


Elephants and lions were among the animals hunted during Botha's safaris

Botha came from a family of cattle ranchers and big game hunters

Botha and another man pose with a crocodile that was killed during a hunt
The South African specialised in big game safaris and often took wealthy foreigners on hunts for lions, leopards and other animals after founding his own company in the 1980s.

Friends paid tribute to him on Facebook, where one wrote: "RIP Theunis Botha. Our heartfelt condolences to Carike and family. He was a great man! So sad!"


Botha's company was called Theunis Botha Big Game Safaris and Hounds

One of Botha's friends (not pictured) was recently killed by a crocodile during a hunt

Another friend added: "A legend has fallen but will never be forgotten... It's with a sad heart that we say goodbye to you Oom Theunis Botha. Our deepest condolences to the family. May God be with you all in this difficult time."

Critics of big game hunting responded with little sympathy.

One person wrote: "You should be crying for the innocent elephant that was senselessly murdered not this idiot hunter who deserved what he got."

Heartbroken friends described Botha as a "legend" of big game hunting (Photo: Facebook)

The married father-of-five ran his own safari company out of South Africa (Photo: Theunis Botha/Youtube)
Botha's friend, Scott van Zyl, 44, was killed by crocodiles during a hunt in Zimbabwe last month, Netwerk24 reported.

Botha's company, called Theunis Botha Big Game Safaris and Hounds, as he was known to hunt with dogs, is a family operation run with his wife Carike.

In 1878 his ancestors moved into a wild and rugged region of South Africa, becoming cattle ranchers and hunters, the firm's website states.

It adds: "In the year of ’66 Theunis became the latest addition to his family, and was privileged to be raised in the ways of the bush and its people."

He served in the South African infantry during the Angolan War and left the Army after reaching the rank of sergeant.

After returning home he started offering hunting safaris in 1989 to pay for his studies, and completed a degree in psychology and anthropology in 1991.

His first client, Bill Reynolds, from the US state of Montana, hunted a leopard on the family's game ranch bordering Kruger National Park after his hounds picked up the animal's scent, the website states.

It added that Botha pioneered traditional European-style Monteria hunts, where game are driven with dogs, in South Africa.

[In58men]

Glad that piece of shit is dead.

[RealSNR]

At the end of the day, there's a family without their loving father, and that's a terribly sad thing.

If you're opposed to what he did for a hobby, that's irrelephant

[In58men]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

At the end of the day, there's a family without their loving father, and that's a sad day. If you're opposed to what he did for a hobby, that's irrelephant

No ****s given. I'm sure his shitty little kids will avenge his fathers death and kill several more elephants.

[DaneMcCloud]

Karma karma karma karma karma karma kmelephant

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Inmem58

No ****s given. I'm sure his shitty little kids will avenge his fathers death and kill several more elephants.

Well, I'm glad to see you're addressing the elephant in the room.

Too bad this guy didn't.

[Cornstock]

I don't think a lot of people understand the concept of conservation when it comes to big game hunting or hunting in general. First of all, a distinction needs to be recognized between illegal poachers and lawful hunters. Permits are granted by the government, which can cost upwards of 50k for certain animals. Older animals are selected that have been cast out of their herds and are exceedingly aggressive posing a threat to the herd in general. They are past their mating prime and endanger younger bulls and cows that still have a long life of mating potential ahead of them. The proceeds are used for further conservation efforts to prevent poaching of the healthy members of the herds, and stimulate otherwise stagnant economies. There is no doubt that big game hunting preserves endangered species. Poachers, on the other hand, can burn.

[In58men]

Originally Posted by Cornstock

I don't think a lot of people understand the concept of conservation when it comes to big game hunting or hunting in general. First of all, a distinction needs to be recognized between illegal poachers and lawful hunters. Permits are granted by the government, which can cost upwards of 50k for certain animals. Older animals are selected that have been cast out of their herds and are exceedingly aggressive posing a threat to the herd in general. They are past their mating prime and endanger younger bulls and cows that still have a long life of mating potential ahead of them. The proceeds are used for further conservation efforts to prevent poaching of the healthy members of the herds, and stimulate otherwise stagnant economies. There is no doubt that big game hunting preserves endangered species. Poachers, on the other hand, can burn.

I'm sure that's the case in every big game kill, right??? I'm sure greed has nothing to do with this.

[Cornstock]

Greed might have something to do with the hunters motivation, but what difference does it make if it's done the right way? Greed is satisfied, herd is protected, and local economies thrive. The people who can afford to hunt cannot be made to be less greedy. It's a pragmatic win-win-win approach.

[Cornstock]

It's no different with hunting whitetail or fishing. You pay for your tag/license, and the proceeds go to the parks to further their enjoyment for future generations.

[TLO]

Get rekt you cuck

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by Inmem58

I'm sure that's the case in every big game kill, right??? I'm sure greed has nothing to do with this.

And you get an F in logic.

Greed or self interest has been an entire for a great many things, some good and some bad. Is Elon Musk greedy? Don't buy a Tesla. What about Peter Thiel? Do t use Pay Pal.

You don't respond to his data or his argument but instead make a snarky insult that doesn't address the issues he raised and demonstrates a profound ignorance of economics and game management. At least the dead guy was involved with management of natural resources. This far you appear to have contributed nothing to either human civilization or the thread.

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

At the end of the day, there's a family without their loving father, and that's a terribly sad thing.

If you're opposed to what he did for a hobby, that's irrelephant

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

RIP Flopnuts

[Cornstock]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

Get rekt you cuck

Encounters a logical and well reasoned view that disagrees with his emotional knee jerk reaction. Responds with ad hominem attack.

Well played.