My Old friend Clem (Andries) Coetsee died from an apparent heart attack early this morning.

For those who haven't heard of him, Clem pioneered the capture and translocation of entire elephant herds (moving over 1200 animals in family units in 1993).

He also shot more elephants than any man who has ever lived, and his personal total of somewhere in the region of 16,000 is unlkely to be passed anytime soon. Clem favoured a soviet Dragonov snipers rifle (sans scope) for culling, but by the time he quit parks he said he would never shoot another elephant, not even in self defence.

For those who knew him, Em's email is 255208@ecoweb.co.zw.

My condolences.

Sounds like he had an extraordinary life certainly above and beyond most.

You have my condoelences also

My condolences...it is a great loss for southern Africa...

My condoences.
His name comes up often when on the subject of Zimbabwean game concervation, control and management.
He was a man I would have liked to have met.
Regards,
Adam

True experience like his has made good game management, that works,possible! He will certainly be missed!

My condolences to his family, friends, and to the Game departments of Africa, they have all suffered a great loss!

Clem was a friend of mine and the conservation community will be poorer with out him.

465H&H

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you 'grave for me:
Here he lies where he long'd to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

My condolences to his family for their loss. His great reputation proceeded him in the field of wildlife conservation. I hope Ganyana or others ensure his experiences are recorded in a book for all us to enjoy.

Ganyana,
Please accept my sympathy.

Among other things, he made elephant translocation real.

Regards, Tim

Another legend moved on to the perfect hunting grounds.

Very sad to see a person like that vanish from our world and it must be much worse for his family my condolences .

CLEM COETZEE OBITUARY

It is with regret that we inform members of the death of Clem Coetzee, renowned wild life conservationist, who died at his farm in the Lowveld on Sunday, 3rd September from a suspected heart attack.

Born on 13th May 1939, Clem grew to prominence in local and international wildlife circles particularly through his work in pioneering the translocation of elephant family groups as a preferred means of elephant population control. He was also responsible for spearheading the campaign to de-horn rhino in the Lowveld as a means of combating poaching.

He collapsed and died at the side gate of his house on his way back for breakfast after checking on his wildlife pens.

His death is a great loss to wildlife conservation not only in Zimbabwe but elsewhere in Africa.

He is survived by his wife, Em, daughter, Beth, son, Vicus, and 3 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the garden of Turkey Heart Farm, Triangle on Saturday, 9th September 2006 at 2 pm.

This will be followed by a braai. Guests are kindly asked to bring a contribution of meat and drink.