Millionaire hunter trampled to death by 5 elephants while hunting in Africa

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A wealthy vineyard owner and hunter died in Central Africa after being trampled by five elephants while on a hunting expedition.

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old California vineyard owner, died while on a hunting trip in the Lope-Okanda rainforest in Gabon. Reports indicate he was tracking a small antelope called a yellow-backed duiker when his group encountered elephants.

A group of elephants – including five females and a young calf – unexpectedly charged after being surprised by hunters. Sadly, one hunter, Dosio, was killed, and his guide suffered serious injuries.

Dosio was on a safari with Collect Africa when the incident occurred. The company reported that the guide survived and was getting medical care.

Elephants trample Vineyard tycoon to death

The American hunter was a familiar figure among big-game hunters and had amassed a significant collection of animal trophies. Friends and acquaintances remember him as an experienced outdoorsman who was dedicated to conservation and supported various charities.

I know there’s a lot of debate about hunting big game, but from what I understand, Ernie always did things completely by the book. A friend of his, a retired hunter, told me that every hunt was properly licensed and actually counted as a way to help manage animal populations – it was considered conservation through culling, so it wasn’t just about the thrill of the hunt.

While in the forest, Ernie and his guide unexpectedly came across five female forest elephants with their calves. Feeling threatened, the elephants immediately attacked. The guide was injured in the first attack and lost his rifle in the thick bushes, leaving Ernie to defend them with only his shotgun.

According to the retired hunter, Dosio’s death would have been “quick.”

Dosio was the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc., a farming company in California, and participated in hunting groups like the Sacramento Safari Club. His body is expected to be returned to the United States.

This recent death has brought renewed focus to the dangers of trophy hunting in Africa. In 2025, Asher Watkins, a rancher from Texas, was fatally injured by a Cape buffalo during a hunt in South Africa.

Gabon is an important habitat for African forest elephants. These elephants are smaller than those found on the savanna, but they remain strong and can be dangerous if they feel threatened or startled, often charging in self-defense.

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2026-04-24 19:18