Following the tragic death of Gondwana Private Game Reserve’s CEO and co-owner, FC Conradie, on Tuesday, the reserve’s management has stated that the elephant involved is being monitored.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reports that Conradie (39), who has been described by those who knew him as a lover of wildlife and nature, died when an elephant trampled him in the reserve grounds on Tuesday morning.

The KwaNonqaba Police Station has opened an inquest docket and is investigating the matter.

This is the second such death to have taken place at the reserve in just over a year. On March 10 last year, 36-year-old Gondwana guide David Kandela died from being trampled by an elephant at the reserve’s tented eco camp.

However, the reserve’s management told Mossel Bay Advertiser that the elephant involved in that death was not the same one involved in Conradie’s.

They said the elephant in Tuesday’s incident was a mature bull and was being monitored, and at this stage, it would not be removed from the reserve.

They added that no abnormal behaviour had been observed in the elephant before or after Conradie’s death.

The management sent their condolences to Conradie’s family. A representative of the reserve, who is also a close friend of the family, asked that the family’s privacy be respected while they are grieving such a tragic and unexpected loss.

“This was a tragedy, and everyone who knew him is dealing with an unimaginable loss,” he said.

He said the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being looked into, and he urged the public not to speculate.

The friend added that Conradie was a loving family man with three young children and that he would be missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Andries Erwee, the founder of Kalahari Vasbyt, said the two had met when Conradie attended the extensive leadership course for boys in 2003, when he was in Grade 11.

Erwee said he had remained in contact with Conradie over the years and that Conradie was an avid financial supporter of the programme, enabling boys who did not have the funds to attend it. He said Conradie had also funded a tree project for Kalahari Vasbyt.

Erwee said Conradie was ambitious and generous.

Conradie’s funeral will be held at the reserve tomorrow.

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