Hunter crushed to death by elephant shot in Zimbabwe

May 22 (UPI) -- A South African hunter was crushed to death by an elephant that was shot in western Zimbabwe, the nation's national wildlife authority said.

Theunis Botha "unknowingly got in the middle of a breeding herd of elephants with several calves" in the Gwayi conservancy Friday and was trampled to death, Zimparks acting spokesperson Simukai Nyasha said Sunday to News24.

The elephant was shot as she picked him up with her trunk, before she fell and died, crushing Botha, according to Netwerk 24.

He was leading a group of hunters near the Hwange national park -- the same place where Cecil the Lion was shot dead by an American hunter in July 2015.

Botha, 51, married and the father of five from the northern Limpopo province in South Africa, was friends with hunter Scott Van Zyl, whose remains were found in a crocodile last month.

His eldest daughter, Marike, confirmed the death to the BBC.

Botha began leading hunting safaris on private ranches in 1989 after serving as a sergeant in the South African infantry, according to the website of his company, Theunis Botha Big Game Safaris and Hounds.

"Theunis Botha perfected leopard and lion hunting safaris with hounds in Africa," the website said. "He pioneered traditional European Style Driven Monteria hunts in South Africa. A passionate and professional hunting outfitter operation focused on giving his clients a unique exiting African safari experience. Specialists outfitter in leopard hunting in Africa with big game hounds."