Ernie Dosio was trampled to death by elephants while stalking in Gabon. Photo / Bobby Hansen Hunting Safaris
Ernie Dosio was trampled to death by elephants while stalking in Gabon. Photo / Bobby Hansen Hunting Safaris
A millionaire big game hunter has been trampled to death by elephants while stalking forest antelope in Africa.
Ernie Dosio, 75, was a California vineyard owner and lifelong trophy hunter on a US$40,000 (NZ$68,000) hunt for a yellow-backed duiker in Gabon when he and his professional guide stumbled into aherd of elephant cows with a calf, reported Metro UK.
“Whilst in the forest, Ernie and his [guide] surprised five forest elephant cows with a calf. Feeling under threat, the elephants immediately attacked them,” an ex-game hunter and friend of Dosio told the New York Post.
Described by loved ones as a “good old country boy”, Dosio was only armed with a shotgun and was trampled on by the startled herd after his guide was flung aside, the outlet reported.
“I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume that it would have been quick,” the ex-game hunter told the Post.
The guide lost his rifle and was seriously injured in the attack, according to the source, who knew Dosio through Cape Town’s hunting community.
Ernie Dosio had been elephant hunting in the past. Photo / Bobby Hansen Hunting Safaris
“Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US,” he told the Post, describing the victim as “very well-known and popular” and saying his hunts were always “strictly licensed and above board”.
“He did a hell of a lot of charity work and was a really good guy.
“What happened has been deeply felt by many each side of the Atlantic,” he said.
Ernie Dosio was trampled to death by elephants while stalking in Gabon. Photo / Bobby Hansen Hunting Safaris
The US Embassy is repatriating Dosio’s body from Gabon to California, according to Metro UK.
Gabon, known as Africa’s last Eden, covers more than 100,000 square miles and is 88% forested, making it home to around 95,000 forest elephants – roughly 60% of the world’s remaining population, according to Wildlife Conservation Society.
Dosio is survived by two sons, Jeff and Blake, who followed him into the vineyard business.
Tommy Whitman, who is the secretary of the Lodi Elks Lodge, paid tribute on Facebook, describing him as someone who quietly gave to war veterans, people with disabilities and underprivileged children, reported the Post.
