Gondwana CEO Killed by Elephant Along Garden Route

FC Conradie, the 39-year-old co-founder and CEO of Gondwana Private Game Reserve in South Africa, was fatally gored and trampled by a bull elephant while trying to move a herd away from tourist lodges around 8 a.m. The incident was witnessed by rangers, who were unable to intervene in time. This marks the second fatal elephant attack at the reserve in just over a year, following the death of guide David Kandela in 2023. Conradie, a dedicated conservationist, is survived by his wife and three young sons. The reserve, located along South Africa’s Garden Route, is under ongoing investigation regarding the circumstances of the attack. The loss has deeply impacted the conservation community and those close to Conradie.