A wealthy California hunter’s latest trip into the African wilderness turned into a nightmare when he was fatally attacked by a herd of elephants in a shocking encounter that’s now sending shockwaves through hunting circles on both sides of the Atlantic.
Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old vineyard tycoon from Lodi, had traveled to Gabon for a big game hunting expedition when things suddenly went horribly wrong deep inside the Lope-Okanda rainforest. According to reports, Dosio and his professional guide were tracking yellow-backed duiker—an elusive species of antelope—when they unexpectedly came face-to-face with a group of five female forest elephants protecting a calf.
What happened next was swift and deadly.
Startled and feeling threatened, the elephants charged. Dosio was trampled in the chaos, while his guide was left seriously injured in the violent attack. The safari company handling the trip later confirmed the fatal incident, describing it as a devastating turn of events.
Dosio wasn’t new to danger. Friends say he had spent decades hunting across Africa and the U.S., building a reputation as a seasoned big game hunter with an extensive collection of trophies that included elephants and lions. He was also a well-known member of the Sacramento Safari Club and a longtime figure in hunting communities.
One fellow hunter, speaking anonymously, said Dosio had been pursuing game “since he could hold a rifle,” adding that all of his hunts were conducted legally under strict licensing rules. The trip to Gabon was reportedly focused on hunting dwarf forest buffalo and duiker, with local outfitter regulations requiring hunters to use provided firearms rather than bringing their own.
But even for experienced hunters, Africa’s dense forests can turn deadly in seconds.
Forest elephants—smaller but often more aggressive than their savanna counterparts—are known to fiercely defend their young. Gabon is home to an estimated 95,000 of these endangered animals, making up a significant portion of the world’s remaining population.
Back home in California, Dosio was more than just a hunter. He owned Pacific AgriLands Inc., overseeing thousands of acres of vineyard land in Modesto, and was deeply involved in community organizations, including the Elks Lodge, where he served for decades.
Friends and colleagues are now mourning the loss of a man they describe as both passionate and generous, with one local official calling him “a pillar in the community.”
The U.S. Embassy is currently working to return his remains to California as those closest to him grapple with the tragic and sudden end to a life that often flirted with danger—but this time, went too far.
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