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

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

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

A 75-year-old California millionaire and vineyard tycoon, Ernie Dosio, was trampled to death by a herd of five elephants while on a hunting expedition in Gabon’s Lope-Okanda rainforest. The incident occurred on April 17, 2026, when Dosio and his guide startled the elephants while tracking a yellow-backed duiker, leading to a fatal charge.  

The Incident

Ernie Dosio, a prominent agricultural leader from Lodi, California, was hunting antelope in Gabon when he and his professional guide encountered five female forest elephants with a calf. The elephants, feeling threatened, charged at the pair. Dosio was fatally crushed, while his guide sustained severe injuries. Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed the death and reported that the guide survived but required medical treatment.  

Background on Ernie Dosio

Dosio was the owner of Pacific AgriLands, a vineyard spanning more than 12,000 acres in Modesto, California. He was a well-known figure in hunting circles, particularly as a member of the Sacramento Safari Club, and had amassed a large collection of legally obtained hunting trophies, including lions, elephants, and rhinos. Friends and fellow hunters described him as both a seasoned outdoorsman and a philanthropist, heavily involved in charity work and local organizations such as the Elks Lodge.  

Family Reaction

Dosio’s family expressed shock at the incident. His ex-wife, Rinda Butler Dosio, suggested that early reports were exaggerated and inconsistent, with initial rumors claiming buffalo were involved. His son, Jeff Dosio, stated that more information would emerge about the circumstances of his father’s death and criticized the circulation of images of the family’s trophy room. The U.S. embassy in Gabon is overseeing the repatriation of his remains to California.  

Conservation Context

The tragedy highlights the dangers of big-game hunting in Africa. Gabon is home to approximately 95,000 forest elephants, which are highly endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. While Dosio’s hunts were reportedly licensed and framed as conservation efforts to manage animal populations, trophy hunting remains controversial. Critics argue that it contributes to biodiversity loss and perpetuates colonial-era practices, while supporters claim it funds conservation programs.  

Broader Implications

This incident underscores the risks hunters face when pursuing wildlife in dense forests, where encounters with protective animals can turn deadly. It also reignites debates around the ethics of trophy hunting, conservation, and the balance between human recreation and wildlife protection. Dosio’s death follows other recent fatalities involving hunters in Africa, further fueling scrutiny of the practice.