Big Game Hunter Crushed To Death By Wounded Elephant

Theunis Botha, 51, was reportedly picked up by a cow elephant before it was shot and fell on top of him.

A South African big game hunter was killed by his own prey last weekend after an injured elephant fell on top of him.

Theunis Botha of Big Game Hounds Safaris was at Good Luck Farm near Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park on Friday when his group accidentally happened into a breeding herd of elephants.

Read: American Doctor, 50, Dies While Trying to Climb Mount Everest

When an elephant cow reportedly picked up the 51-year-old father of five with her trunk, one of Botha's clients opened fire.

But, instead of stopping a tragedy, the shot caused the elephant to fall and fatally crush Botha.

He was a professional big game hunter who specialized in hunting leopards and lions using hounds. Botha also courted wealthy Americans as clients, according to The Telegraph.

In the wake of her father's death, one of Botha's daughters, Carmen Botha, turned her Facebook page into a sort of shrine to the fallen hunter.

Ms. Botha's profile photo has been changed to a photo of her with her father, smiling after taking down a gazelle.

"My heartfelt condolences. God help you and your family in these tough times," one commenter wrote.

Watch: Video Shows Hunter Making Friends with A Deer Wearing An Orange Scarf

Condolences also appeared on the page Mr. Botha shared with his wife, Carike.

Mr. Botha was regarded as a sort of legend in his field and billed himself as the first to bring English-style "Monteria hunts" — in which hounds are used to flush out prey — to southern Africa.

Watch: Elephant Climbs On Huge Ant Hill To Scratch Belly Itch He Can't Reach