An American millionaire and avid big-game hunter has died after a deadly encounter with elephants in Gabon, according to multiple reports.
Ernie Dosio, 75, a California vineyard owner known for his extensive trophy collection, was on a guided hunting trip in the Lope-Okanda rainforest when the incident occurred. Loved ones described Dosio as a “good old country boy” with a deep passion for the outdoors.
According to the Daily Mail, Dosio had embarked on a $40,000 expedition targeting a yellow-backed duiker — a small antelope native to Central and West Africa. During the outing, the hunting party reportedly came upon a group of five female elephants with a calf. The herd suddenly emerged from dense undergrowth and charged at Dosio and his guide.
Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed the death of its client, the Daily Mail reported. The professional hunter accompanying Dosio survived but sustained serious injuries.
Beyond hunting, Dosio was the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc., a company that manages roughly 12,000 acres of vineyard land in Modesto and provides services and equipment financing to wine producers, according to The Guardian.
Officials with the U.S. Embassy in Gabon are now working to return Dosio’s remains to California.
African elephants — the largest land animals on Earth — can weigh up to six tons and stand as tall as 11 feet, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The organization notes that elephants play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems by dispersing seeds and shaping habitats. However, their populations have declined sharply over the past century due to hunting and poaching.
Gabon’s forests are believed to hold around 95,000 forest elephants — the majority of the species’ global population — which are considered highly endangered, per The Guardian.
Each year, trophy hunting results in the deaths of tens of thousands of wild animals worldwide. While legal hunting tours remain popular among some wealthy travelers, the industry continues to draw criticism. Estimates have placed its value in the hundreds of millions of dollars globally.
Dosio, a married father of two who was active in hunting and safari clubs. According to the New York Post, he was remembered by a friend as both a conservationist and a generous supporter of charitable causes.
“What happened has been deeply felt on both sides of the Atlantic,” the friend said.
