A renowned anti-poaching advocate from South Africa tragically lost his life after being fatally attacked by a 2,900-pound rhinoceros he had been protecting during his morning rounds.

Schoeman van Jaarsveld was conducting a patrol at the Samara Karoo Reserve, situated in South Africa’s vast Great Karoo region, when a rhino with two horns suddenly charged from its hiding place and fatally injured him, according to official reports.

This devastating incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time.

Despite the swift arrival of emergency responders, van Jaarsveld, aged 58, succumbed to his injuries before help could reach him.

The conservationist, who was deeply committed to anti-poaching efforts, also managed his own armed private security company, Milk River Security, which is dedicated to safeguarding rhinos from poachers, as noted by local authorities.

Van Jaarsveld and his team were actively engaged in efforts to protect the endangered white and black rhinos from the threat posed by dangerous poaching groups known to operate in the area.

Poaching gangs have killed 352 rhinos last year alone for their horns, which are more valuable than cocaine or gold.

At the time of the fatal incident, the patrol team was tracking a black rhino through a GPS device strapped to its ankle to check up and care for the large mammal.

The killer rhino retreated into the 68,000 acre reserve after being scared off by members of van Jaarsveld’s patrol team. 

Tributes have flowed for the conservationist who was hailed as a “very good man” and a “dedicated professional.”

Van Jaarsveld trained 27-year-old field ranger, Arno Potgeiter, who said the anti-poaching champ “was very good at his job” and was told “he was out trying to track down a black rhino” at the time of his death.

“Something went very wrong and they came face to face and my friend was badly gored,” he said.

No shots were fired at the time of the incident and the rhino was not hurt, he said.

“Schoeman was a very good man,” Potgeiter said.

Another friend — who has not been identified — mourned van Jaarsveld as a “dedicated professional” who was “very tough and bush-wise,” and spent his life in nature “looking for the bad guys.”

“The attack was just explosive and Schoeman took the rhino’s horn,” the friend said. “The injury was basically untreatable without immediate medical help which was not available.”

Van Jaarsveld’s “loss has been deeply felt among the anti-poaching community and it is even more tragic that his life was taken by the very animal he was trying to keep safe,” the friend added.

A spokesperson for Samara Karoo Reserve, where the freak accident took place, said that van Jaarsveld was responsible for major, invaluable work protecting wildlife in the area — in particular rhinos.

“He will be sadly missed and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and team,” the spokesperson said, and praised his “highly professional” anti-poaching team.

“Schoeman was dedicated to conservation work and he and his team from Milk River Security are responsible for invaluable work protecting our wildlife and rhinos,” the spokesman added.

A member of the security team was left with minor injuries from the attack and an investigation is underway to determine what happened, the Reserve said.

“Our thoughts are with Schoeman’s family and friends and as a mark of respect we will be helping with the funeral following the tragic loss of a member of the Samara team.”

Van Jaarveld was known to carry out day and night patrols at the Samara Karoo Reserve and at surrounding game reserves to protect endeared wildlife from poachers.

The Reserve said they will continue his legacy in protecting South Africa’s most endangered, sought-after animals.

“He will be sadly missed but his work to protect our rhinos and wildlife continues,” the statement said.