A 75-year-old American millionaire known for hunting wild animals across continents has died after a sudden encounter with a herd of elephants in Central Africa. Ernie Dosio, a seasoned trophy hunter and vineyard owner from California, was on an expedition in Gabon when the incident occurred. While tracking a rare antelope through dense forest, he and his professional guide unexpectedly came face to face with a group of elephants. Within seconds, the situation turned deadly as the animals charged, leaving Dosio fatally crushed and his guide seriously injured.
How five elephants attacked the 75-year-old trophy hunter
The attack reportedly took place in thick rainforest near Lope-Okanda National Park, where visibility is low and wildlife can appear without warning. Dosio and his guide were tracking the elusive yellow-backed duiker, a rare forest antelope, when they unknowingly walked into a herd of five forest elephants. Hidden by dense vegetation, the animals were not spotted until it was too late.
According to accounts from those familiar with the incident, the elephants, believed to be females with a calf, reacted instantly and charged as they perceived a threat.
The professional hunter accompanying Dosio was struck first, thrown aside, and injured during the initial charge. In the chaos, he lost his rifle in the undergrowth, leaving Dosio armed only with a shotgun.
The elephants then turned on Dosio, trampling him under their combined weight. The attack is believed to have been extremely quick, with little chance of escape once the herd charged at close range.
Why elephants can turn deadly
The African forest elephant is one of the most powerful land animals on Earth, capable of weighing several tonnes and moving at surprising speed. While often described as calm, these animals can become highly aggressive when they feel threatened, especially when calves are present.
Gabon is home to roughly 60 percent of the world’s remaining forest elephants, making encounters more likely in its dense forests. Experts estimate that elephants kill between 300 and 500 people globally each year, usually in sudden, defensive attacks.
A lifetime of hunting
Dosio had spent decades travelling the world pursuing big game, building an extensive collection of trophies that included lions, elephants, buffalo, and deer species. He was widely known in hunting circles in both the United States and Africa and was considered an experienced outdoorsman.
At the time of his death, he was reportedly attempting to add the yellow-backed duiker to his collection, a challenging and sought-after species among hunters.
Friends and associates described him as a larger-than-life figure who was also deeply involved in charitable work, regularly supporting veterans and underprivileged groups.
Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed that a client had died following an elephant encounter during a hunt, while the injured guide survived.
