A popular South African safari guide died in his girlfriend’s arms after being gored by a massive mother elephant near Kruger National Park.

“We are all very traumatized,” said Trevor Jordan, CEO of Thornybush Waterside Lodge where the late ranger, named Sheldon Hooper, had worked. He told TimesLive the guide “was exceptionally good at his job and knew elephants very well.”

On the morning of Aug. 18, Hooper, 27, was sent to inspect the park’s perimeter fence with a colleague, as a herd of wild elephants had breached the fence during the night and entered the lodge, his sister Sarah Hooper told The Post.

The mother of a calf reportedly became spooked by Sheldon’s presence and charged him, according to local media outlets.

“He was caught unaware by an elephant in the compound, who tusked him, with a fatal injury to the front left chest, as well as multiple other injuries,” Sarah told The Post. “The person who was with him managed to run away. He was able to call for help. His colleagues came in a car and chased away the elephants.”

Jordan said the tusks penetrated his “knee and just above his heart,” leaving Sheldon with two gaping holes that were “bleeding profusely.”

Sarah, a medical doctor, said her brother “was conscious and talking for a brief time, before succumbing to his injuries. His girlfriend [Rebecca Rowles] was with him at the time, she attempted CPR. He, and she, fought bravely for his life.”

Unfortunately, while paramedics arrived as soon as they could, the guide “succumbed to his injuries within 20 minutes,” according to Jordan. He reportedly died in Rowles’ arms.

After the attack, Jordan consulted experts on what to do about the culprit. He said they ultimately decided against “euthanizing the elephant” as subsequent investigations revealed that the animals “were relaxed and showed no aggression.”

Sarah, however, told The Post that “many of the workers at the bush camp reported to us that the elephant was known to be aggressive and had chased people in the past. These are not my eyewitness facts, rather what was told to me by his fellow rangers.”

The lodge has since posted a heartfelt Facebook tribute to Hooper, who they describe as a dedicated conservationist who possessed “incredible kindness,” an “infectious smile, and love of the bush.”

“Sheldon’s life is a celebration of his passions and he is sorely missed by all,” they wrote.

Hooper’s colleagues, guests and friends also took to the platform to offer their condolences.

“You are one of the most genuine & kind hearted people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and I’m so happy I was able to work alongside you,” wrote former colleague Kerry Lee Roberg.

Photographer Dallas Dahms added, “I only had the pleasure of your company for 6 days in 2016, but in that intersection of our lives spent chasing leopards and other beautiful things around, you left an indelible imprint on me.”