Eugene Cussons, the South African conservationist known to viewers as the host of Animal Planet’s Escape to Chimp Eden, has died in a paramotor accident. He was 47.
Cussons’ death was confirmed by Etienne Maré, a spokesperson for the Cussons family, who shared the news with local media.
The fatal accident happened on May 23 during an event at a new airfield near Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa. According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred about 10 minutes after takeoff.
Cussons was best known for his work rescuing abused, abandoned and illegally held chimpanzees across Africa.
As managing director of Chimp Eden, a Jane Goodall Institute sanctuary, Cussons helped coordinate dangerous rescue missions for primates in need. His work as rescue director took him into unstable and high-risk regions, including Angola and Sudan, where chimpanzees were often caught in the middle of smuggling networks, conflict zones and illegal wildlife trade.
His mission reached an international audience in 2008 when Escape to Chimp Eden premiered on Animal Planet.
The series followed Cussons and his team as they traveled across Africa to rescue chimpanzees from dangerous conditions and bring them to safety. The show also exposed viewers to the realities of wildlife trafficking, illegal captivity and the challenges of protecting primates in war-torn areas.
Cussons’ work on the show made him a recognizable figure among animal lovers and conservation supporters around the world. It even led to appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
But his work did not stop with television.
Cussons founded Generation Now Africa to help develop future conservation leaders. He also launched The Eugene Cussons Podcast, where he discussed issues such as poaching, habitat destruction and the urgent need to protect wildlife.
In 2011, he released the book Saving Chimpanzees: A Man on A Rescue Mission, which detailed his experiences rescuing chimpanzees and working at Chimp Eden.
Cussons also became involved in paramotoring because of his conservation work.
He founded Nirvana Africa, a powered paragliding company that supported anti-poaching patrols and aerial operations, especially efforts to protect rhinos. The company worked with authorities on paramotor missions in areas including Kruger National Park.
For Cussons, flying was not just a hobby. It was another tool in the fight to protect animals from poachers and illegal traders.
Following his death, his mother, Marina Cussons, paid a heartfelt tribute to her son.
“Beyond his remarkable conservation work, Eugene was known as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, mentor and friend whose kindness, gentle spirit and passion for life left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him,” she told local media.
She also spoke about the faith that guided him.
“Those who knew him well will also remember his sincere love for our Heavenly Father, a faith that quietly shaped his character, compassion, and life’s work,” she said.
Cussons leaves behind a legacy built on courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to animals that had no voice of their own.
For fans of Escape to Chimp Eden, he was the brave conservationist willing to go anywhere to save a suffering chimpanzee.