Millionaire big game hunter trampled to death by herd of five elephants

An American big game hunter has died after being attacked by elephants during a hunting expedition in Gabon, in an incident that has sent shockwaves through hunting and conservation circles.

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Ernie Dosio, 75, was killed in the Lope region after he and his professional hunter guide unexpectedly encountered a herd of five forest elephants, including a calf, while on a licensed hunt for a yellow-backed duiker.

According to accounts, the elephants, concealed in dense forest, charged after being startled. The professional hunter was attacked first, sustaining serious injuries and losing his rifle in the undergrowth, leaving Dosio with only a shotgun as the situation escalated. He was subsequently trampled to death.

Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed that a client was killed on April 17 during the hunt, adding that the professional hunter was injured in the encounter. The company said the matter is being handled in coordination with authorities and the victim’s family.

Dosio, a California-based vineyard owner, was an experienced hunter who had pursued a wide range of game across Africa and the United States. He owned Pacific AgriLands Inc., a company managing thousands of acres of vineyards, and was known for his extensive collection of hunting trophies, including elephant, lion, rhino and buffalo.

He was also an active member of several organisations, including the Sacramento Safari Club and California Wildfowl, and held a leadership role within the Elks Lodge network, which supports community and charitable initiatives.

Friends and associates described him as a prominent figure in both hunting and local community circles. One associate said: “Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US… What happened has been deeply felt by many each side of the Atlantic.”

Dosio had reportedly been on a £30,000 hunting trip targeting species including yellow-backed duiker and dwarf forest buffalo under strict licensing rules, which required him to use firearms provided by the hunting company.

Gabon is home to around 60 per cent of the world’s remaining forest elephant population, with large areas of dense rainforest where wildlife encounters can be unpredictable. Experts note that elephants, particularly females with calves, can react aggressively when they feel threatened.

The U.S. Embassy in Gabon is assisting with the repatriation of Dosio’s body to California, where he lived with his family. Gabon, often described as one of Africa’s most forested nations, is home to a significant population of forest elephants, which can be highly protective, particularly when calves are present.