A Cape Buffalo Made a Desperate Attempt to Save Their Own Life: Here’s What We Know

The story of this Cape buffalo who attacked a trophy hunter in South Africa may make you believe in karma. 52-year-old American trophy hunter, Asher Watkins, was stalking a Cape buffalo during a hunting expedition when the animal charged at him. Watkins was a frequent hunter and shared photos online of himself beside the corpses of mountain lions, deer, ducks, and hundreds of other animals he killed.

Trophy Hunter Asher Watkins Killed by Cape Buffalo in South Africa

According to reports, Watkins was participating in a licensed hunting expedition in the Limpopo province of South Africa and had already killed a waterbuck during the trip. Apparently, Watkins and a professional guide and tracker stalked a Cape buffalo, the  buffalo did what any of us would do and made a desperate attempt at survival by charging at the trophy hunter.

Cape buffaloes are complex animals who talk to each other, establish social hierarchies, and even “vote” on herd movement. However, hunters view them as “trophies” to hang on a wall.

How You Can Help Animals Targeted by Trophy Hunters

Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death. By allowing hunters to ship the dead bodies of “hunting trophies,” UPS is supporting animal slaughter. UPS has banned the transport of not only shark fins and certain live animals but also ivory. If it can ban shipments of an animal’s tusks, surely it can ban shipments of heads and other body parts, too.

You can join the more than 100,000 people who have already taken up PETA’s call urging UPS to ban the shipment of hunting “trophies.”