ZIMBABWE (PIX11) — A professional hunter was trampled to death by an elephant he planned to kill for its ivory.

Ian Gibson, who worked for Safari Classics, was leading a hunt for a bull elephant for about 5 hours in Chewore North in the lower Zambezi Valley. According to a note by the company posted on a hunting message board, Gibson and the client stopped to rest. The note goes on to say:

“Feeling he was quite close to the elephant, Ian and his tracker Robert continued to follow the tracks in hopes of getting a look at the ivory as the client, stayed with the game scout to rest. Robert indicated the bull was in musk [sic]. They eventually caught up to the bull, spotting him at about 50-100 meters. The bull instantly turned and began a full charge. Ian and Robert began shouting in order to stop the charge. At very close range, Ian was able to get off one shot before the bull killed him.”

An elephant being in “musth” is a condition where males are “highly aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones.”

It is unclear if the elephant was later killed.

“Ian Gibson was a fine man and one of the most experienced professional hunters on the African continent,” the company said. “He will be deeply missed by all.”