California Millionaire Big-Game Hunter Ernie Dosio Trampled to Death by Elephants in Gabon

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old California vineyard owner and well-known trophy hunter, was fatally trampled by a herd of elephants while on a licensed big-game hunting expedition in Gabon’s Lope-Okanda rainforest. The incident occurred on April 17, 2026, when Dosio and his professional guide unexpectedly encountered five female elephants with a calf. According to multiple verified reports, the elephants charged after feeling threatened, fatally injuring Dosio despite his being armed only with a shotgun. His guide sustained serious injuries and lost his rifle during the attack.

Dosio, originally from Lodi, California, owned Pacific AgriLands Inc., a company managing 12,000 acres of vineyard land in Modesto and providing services to wine producers. He was described by acquaintances as a lifelong hunter who began shooting at a young age and had collected numerous trophies from Africa and the United States, including a lion and an elephant shot over a decade prior to his death. Friends and fellow hunters emphasized that all of his hunts were strictly licensed and conducted in compliance with local regulations, often framed as conservation efforts.

The safari operator Collect Africa, which arranged the expedition, confirmed Dosio’s death to news outlets. The California-Hawaii Elks Association also acknowledged his passing in a social media statement. Tributes highlighted his deep connection to the outdoors and his reputation within hunting communities such as the Sacramento Safari Club. While the event has reignited debate over the ethics of big-game hunting, those who knew Dosio maintained that he pursued the activity responsibly and with respect for legal frameworks.

As of the date of this report, no further legal or investigative actions have been publicly announced regarding the incident. Gabonese authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Gabon have been notified, per standard protocol for foreign nationals involved in such incidents abroad.

Ernie Dosio is survived by his family and loved ones, who remember him as a “good old country boy” with a lifelong passion for hunting and the natural world.