US millionaire trampled to death by elephants during hunt

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old millionaire and vineyard owner, was trampled to death by a herd of elephants while hunting antelope in Africa.

Ernie Dosio and his guide entered the Lope-Okanda forest in Gabon, central Africa, last weekend to hunt yellow-backed duikers when they unexpectedly encountered five female elephants with a calf, the Guardian reported on 24/4.

The elephant herd charged, trampling Dosio and his guide. Collect Africa, the expedition company, confirmed Dosio's death and reported that his professional hunting guide sustained severe injuries.

Dosio next to a lion shot during a hunting trip. *Photo: GBNews*

Dosio, 75, owned Pacific AgriLands, a company managing 4,850 hectares of vineyards in Modesto, California. The company also provided services, financial support, and equipment to winemakers.

He also possessed an extensive collection of hunting trophies accumulated over years, including elephants and lions, and was a prominent figure in the Safari Sacramento Hunting Club. US embassy officials in Gabon are coordinating to repatriate his body to California.

"Ernie had been hunting since he learned to hold a gun and had many trophies from Africa and the US. Many people disagree with hunting wildlife, but all of Ernie's trips were strictly licensed, transparent, and registered as conservation efforts to control animal populations", a retired hunter familiar with Dosio stated.

Dosio's collection of animal specimens. *Photo: GBNews*

Gabon's forests are home to approximately 95,000 elephants, representing a significant portion of the global population, and these elephants are classified as critically endangered.

Legal hunting tourism in Africa is popular among some wealthy Americans. Last year, an American hunter died after being attacked by a Cape buffalo while stalking it on a hunting trip in South Africa.