American millionaire and seasoned big game hunter, Ernie Dosio, has died after being trampled by a herd of elephants during a hunting expedition in Gabon.
The 75-year-old vineyard owner from Lodi, California, was reportedly tracking a rare species of antelope, the yellow-backed duiker, in the Lope Okanda rainforest when the fatal encounter occurred.
Dosio and his professional guide unexpectedly crossed paths with five female forest elephants and a calf. Feeling threatened, the elephants charged at the pair.
According to reports, the professional hunter was struck first and seriously injured, losing his rifle in the chaos. The elephants then turned on Dosio, who was armed only with a shotgun provided by the safari operator. The attack was said to be swift, leaving the millionaire with no chance of escape.
Dosio was a well-known figure in international hunting circles and a member of the Sacramento Safari Club. His home in California reportedly housed an extensive collection of trophies from decades of hunting across Africa and the U.S., including lions, leopards, and elephants.
The U.S. Embassy in Gabon is currently working with local authorities to repatriate Dosio’s remains to California. Gabon is home to the majority of the
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