Overview

• On July 23, FC Conradie, 39, co-owner and chief executive of Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was gored and trampled as he attempted to guide a herd away from tourist lodges.
• This marks the third fatal elephant attack at the Western Cape reserve since mid-2024, following the deaths of rangers David Kandela and Philani Sibiya.
• Preliminary reports suggest the attacking herd may be the same group that breached fences and killed two rangers at Gondwana last year.
• Gondwana management has offered counselling and financial assistance to Conradie’s wife and three young sons and to staff members affected by the loss.
• Reserve operators have renewed warnings that guests and employees must remain in vehicles and avoid restricted areas after repeated elephant incursions through breached fencing.