On 11 July this year, the hunting community lost another PH when Wayne Barry Clark, 37, was fatally wounded by a buffalo during a hunt in Lolkisale in Masailand, Tanzania.
Wayne was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on 13 March 1975 to parents Liz and Bruce Clark. A boy with a keen sense of adventure, he was passionate about wildlife and the bush and enjoyed nothing more than hunting, camping and fishing with his mates. He qualified as a PH in 1997 and hunted regularly throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania He was hugely experienced and had a wonderful rapport with clients, totally committed to ensuring that everything was done to maximise their hunting experience. He was affectionately known as Bwana ‘Haraka’ to his Tanzanian camp staff – Swahili for ‘Mr Fast’ – because of his constant urging to get everything done on time.
Given Wayne’s vast experience, his death is a sobering reminder that despite many years of successful hunts, things can - and do - go wrong. Wayne and fellow PH Cliff Walker were leading a 21-day full bag safari in Lolkisale for Adam Clements Safari Trackers with two clients – a father and son from the US.
Wayne Clark qualified as a PH in 1997 and hunted plains and dangerous game throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
On 11 July they split up, with Cliff accompanying the father and Wayne hunting with the son. Wayne’s client shot at a buffalo, wounding but not killing it. The buffalo then ran into dense thicket. Mindful of the dangers and with the safety of his client uppermost in his mind, Wayne advised his client to stay in the vehicle while he assessed the situation. He then went on foot towards the thicket and was suddenly charged by the wounded animal. He instantly fired off individual barrels of his .500 Nitro double but failed to kill the animal and the buffalo then attacked him, goring him in the top of the thigh. By this time the client and game scout had run to his aid and they managed to shoot and kill the enraged animal.
Despite his injuries, Wayne was able to stand and made his way to the vehicle where he radioed Cliff and also spoke to his father in Zimbabwe to tell them what had happened and organise international medical evacuation. Cliff and his party arrived about 15 minutes later and radioed for help. An ambulance was despatched by road from Arusha as there was no airstrip in the area and it was then too dark for a helicopter to come out and land. They set off to meet the ambulance but Wayne lost consciousness about 20 minutes into the drive and died peacefully in Cliff’s arms from what was later determined as a severed femoral artery.
It took a further seven harrowing days and some great help from friends in Tanzania to get through all the red tape before Wayne’s body was released to fly back to Zimbabwe, finally arriving in Bulawayo on 18 July. A private cremation was followed by a memorial service and wake on Saturday 21 July, attended by well over 700 people: a fitting tribute to a universally liked and respected man taken in the prime of his life.
A man both humble and proud, compassionate yet strong, respectful and polite yet the life and soul of every party, Wayne was the original ‘Mr Nice Guy’. His warm, engaging smile found instant rapport and we will always remember the jokes, the smiles and the laughter that filled the room when he was around. Beloved husband of Cathy, Wayne also leaves dad Bruce and Vicky Clark, Mum Liz and Lewis Meal and his sister Carol and Brian van Blerk.
Zimbabwe-born PH Wayne Clark was the original "Mr. Nice Guy.
Anyone raised in Africa knows the pleasure of an African sunset: the glow of the sun as it sinks slowly over the horizon, the lengthening shadows and the strange stillness that creeps over the bush. Today the sun sets on the life of Wayne Clark, dearly loved husband, son, brother, friend and hunter. A life lived to the fullest, a smile that lit up the room, a giant spirit that will remain with us always.
Requiem
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.