Millionaire Father Crushed To Death By Elephant At His Private Game Reserve
A CEO was killed this week after being trampled by an elephant on his property in South Africa, officials confirmed.
FC Conradie, 39, co-owner of the Gondwana private game reserve in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, died on Tuesday, July 22, after an elephant charged at him. Authorities shared the news in a statement on Thursday, July 24 according to PEOPLE.
“According to reports available, emergency services were summoned to the scene after the man was trampled by an elephant at about 08:00 [a.m. local time],” the statement continued per PEOPLE.
“On arrival, the members found the man, employed at the business, with multiple injuries. He was later declared dead by paramedics on scene.The elephant was already moved away from the camp on arrival.”
The reserve issued a statement expressing mourning, shock and sorrow.
“A devoted husband, father of three young children, and a cherished friend to many, FC was a beloved and highly respected figure — both within Gondwana and across the broader conservation community,” the statement said.
FC Conradie (39), co-owner of Gondwana Game Reserve in SA, was tragically killed by a bull elephant on July 22 while guiding a herd away from lodges.
A conservation leader, husband, and father of 3 — he died doing what he loved.
Hawks #GiftsForHer Black Knight | Cara Cara pic.twitter.com/aoHa9hDNOB
— Africa Affair Journal (@AffairAfrica) July 24, 2025
“This is an unimaginable loss. FC was more than a leader — he was a mentor, a visionary, and a truly remarkable human being.”
According to The Times, guests at another nearby reserve had been warned that elephants were breaking through fences and entering camps. At Gondwana, a 36-year-old guide named David Kandela was killed by an elephant last year.
The reserve has previously said that working closely with wild animals always carries some risk.
Elephant-related deaths are rare but do occur, with an estimated 100 to 500 people killed each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. These incidents typically happen when elephants feel threatened, are protecting their young, or are startled. In countries like India, human-elephant conflicts often arise when elephants enter villages or farmlands.
In Africa, fatalities can occur during safaris, conservation work, or encounters in game reserves. Male elephants in musth, a period of heightened aggression, are particularly dangerous. While generally peaceful, elephants are powerful wild animals, and close interaction can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes.