A BIG game hunter has been crushed to death by an elephant that collapsed on him after it was fatally shot.

Theunis Botha, 51, was leading a hunt in a Zimbabwe game reserve when four breeding elephants charged at his group.

4 Professional hunter Theunis Botha was crushed to death by an elephant

A female elephant picked up the South African dad-of-five in her trunk, but fell on top of him after she was shot by another hunter, officials said.

Mr Botha, described as a “passionate and professional hunting pioneer”, was crushed to death by the weight of the wounded animal on Friday.

News24 reported that the big game hunter had accidentally led clients into the middle of a breeding herd of elephants near Hwange National Park on Friday.

4 A female elephant picked up the South African dad-of-five in her trunk, pictured during a previous hunt

4 Mr Botha, 51, was crushed to death by the weight of the wounded animal on Friday

Three of the elephants charged at the group of hunters at the Good Luck Farm, the Daily Telegraph reported.

But Mr Botha is understood to have been taken by surprise by a forth elephant that charged at him from the side.

4 He has been described as a “passionate and professional hunting pioneer”

One of his hunting companions shot at the elephant after it lifted Mr Botha from the ground.

Zimparks acting spokesperson Simukai Nyasha said Mr Botha "unknowingly got in the middle of a breeding herd of elephants with several calves and was trampled to death”.

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Friends have paid tribute to the dad-of-five on social media.

One wrote: "RIP Theunis Botha. Our heartfelt condolences to Carike and family. He was a great man! So sad!"

Another friend added: "A legend has fallen but will never be forgotten... It's with a sad heart that we say goodbye to you Oom Theunis Botha.

“Our deepest condolences to the family. May God be with you all in this difficult time."

The professional hunter ran his own safari company – Game and Hounds Safari.

His website claims he “perfected leopard and lion hunting safaris with hounds in Africa”.