Was told about the incident and found this…

“HomeNational NewsElephant attack claims life of a Namibian professional hunter
NATIONAL NEWS
ELEPHANT ATTACK CLAIMS LIFE OF A NAMIBIAN PROFESSIONAL HUNTER

Swakopmund resident and professional big game hunter, Gert Andres Jacobus (Kudu) van der Walt, lost his life during an elephant attack in the Kambangula grazing area of the Tsandi Constituency on Monday afternoon.

The 46-year-old was trampled by an elephant while trophy hunting in the company of international guests in the Omusati Region.

According to police reports, Van der Walt was hunting an elephant bull that had been officially designated as a problematic animal.

Accompanied by a group of international visitors and guides from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Van der Walt was involved in a legally sanctioned hunt when the attack occurred.

The elephant was subsequently shot by the accompanying guides, who survived the encounter.

Tragically, Van der Walt’s 12-year-old child was present during the incident.

The staff of Opuwo Country Lodge took in the child until they could make plans for his safe return to his mother.

Axel Cramer, the president of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), issued a solemn statement following the tragedy, expressing sorrow and calling for the need for respectful dialogue around the incident.

The NAPHA statement read:

“It is with profound sadness that we learned of the tragic incident.

According to Cramer, the hunt was conducted under permit number 213656, which was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Tourism of Namibia.

According to Cramer, allegations that this was an illegal or secretive hunt are not truthful.

“Please do not share such unfounded statements which carry no truth at all. In light of this tragedy, NAPHA is deeply disturbed by the insensitive reactions on social media,” he pleaded.

Cramer said that NAPHA acknowledges that a lot of work remains to educate the Namibian population about the significant contributions of trophy hunting to the community.

“NAPHA also extends its gratitude to the Game Guard whose brave actions protected all other individuals involved,” he said.

He said trophy hunting plays a crucial role in conservation efforts and supports local communities.

“We urge the public to approach this sensitive matter with compassion and respect, bearing in mind the grieving family and the broader implications of this tragedy,” he requested.

The tragic death of Van der Walt has sparked a wave of reactions, with social media becoming a platform for both condolences and controversy.

Some critics have questioned the ethics of trophy hunting, while others have highlighted its role in wildlife conservation and community support.

The tragedy again casts a spotlight on the complex and often polarising nature of wildlife management and conservation practices in Namibia.

Trophy hunting provides substantial economic benefits to local communities and supports conservation efforts by controlling populations of certain species, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and funding conservation initiatives.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism supervises hunting operations to guarantee their ethical and legal conduct.

Before any hunt is allowed, the ministry issues a permit for problem animal control hunts, such as the one in which Van der Walt was participating, to manage wildlife that poses a threat to local communities or ecosystems.”

I heard about this today . There are some fundraising activities taking place to help the family .

I hunted with Gert six or seven times over the years, most recently last year. He was one of the best leopard hunters in Namibia and more importantly a damn good guy.

Thoughts to Ronel and their kids.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I heard about this today . There are some fundraising activities taking place to help the family .

And I’ve brought this to the attention of Frontline Foundation, maybe they will help…

Sad news and tragic his son was with him at the time. Condolences to his family and friends and may he rest in peace.

NAPHA issued statement that he has on a sanctioned PAC hunt, not a trophy hunt when he was killed.

Received a reply from contact at Frontline, they will be seeking particulars, and based on what I’ve been told of the incident (in my opinion) will be providing needed assistance to the family. I sure hope so…

Very sad and thanks to those who are seeking assistance to the family

Terrible, sad news.

We knew and hunted with Gert in northern Namibia when he was first starting out as a PH.

What a hard thing to deal with for his son and the rest of his family.

RIP.

I have known Gert for 20 years. He was a first class guy. He spoke with me last week regarding this very elephant. I'm praying for his family as he will be missed.

Didn't know him. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends.............

God Bless his family...At this time...

Mike

He wrote to me on the 10th of June about this problem elephant!

This makes him the 3rd Ph I know killed by an elephant. They are not to be taken lightly!!!

Very sad!



Arjun Reddy
Hunters Networks LLC
www.huntersnetworks.com
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Tel: +1 845 259 3628

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Was this Gert who started out with Vaughn Fulton? If so, I hunted with him in 2005. A real nice guy who I remember was a top notch PH even then.
John

quote:

Originally posted by Lucky1:
Was this Gert who started out with Vaughn Fulton? If so, I hunted with him in 2005. A real nice guy who I remember was a top notch PH even then.
John

Yes. Gert started out with Vaughan.

Good man.

Looks like DSC Front Line Foundation will be sending a donation to Gert's family!

Good news!

I had a call from the Frontline Foundation President, John Patterson, this morning and he gave me an update on this. The Frontline board met Monday and approved a grant to help Gert’s family, I’m sure it will be appreciated. I was also told that this is the sixth assistance grant the Frontline has made this year, busy year for them and tough year for those that hunt for a living.