Trophy hunting debate intensifies after California millionaire's fatal African expedition
Trophy hunting's conservation value remains disputed after fatal incident highlights industry's scale and ecological impact.
Event / Disaster
California Millionaire Elephant Death Gabon
Ernie Dosio, 75-year-old California millionaire and vineyard owner, was trampled to death by five female forest elephants with a calf on April 17 during a licensed hunting expedition in Gabon's Lope-Okanda rainforest. His guide survived with serious injuries. The incident has reignited debate over trophy hunting's conservation role versus its threat to endangered species.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 25 Apr, 03:07 UTC
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What happened
California millionaire Ernie Dosio trampled to death by elephants in Gabon
Ernie Dosio, 75, a California vineyard owner, was trampled to death by five female forest elephants with a calf on April 17 in the Lope-Okanda rainforest in Gabon, Africa. Dosio and his professional hunting guide stumbled upon and startled the elephants while hunting yellow-backed duiker antelope. The guide sustained serious injuries but survived. Dosio's body was repatriated to the United States with assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Gabon.
Dosio was on licensed big game hunting expedition for yellow-backed duiker
Ernie Dosio was on a licensed hunting expedition costing approximately $40,000 to hunt yellow-backed duiker, a forest-dwelling antelope classified as 'near threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature but not officially endangered. The hunt was arranged through Collect Africa, a Nigerian-based safari operator, and conducted under strict Gabonese licensing laws. Dosio was armed with a shotgun supplied by the hunting company for the expedition.
Gabon home to approximately 95,000 forest elephants
Gabon is home to approximately 95,000 forest elephants, representing roughly two-thirds of the remaining global forest elephant population. Central Africa's forest elephants face threats from environmental destruction, climate change, and criminal organizations targeting the species for ivory, horns, and tusks sold on black markets.
Dosio owned Pacific AgriLands vineyard company in California
Ernie Dosio owned Pacific AgriLands Inc., a Modesto, California-based vineyard land management company with a 12,000-acre vineyard operation. He was married with two sons, Jeff and Blake, who also worked in the vineyard business. Dosio lived in Lodi, California, in the wine-growing region approximately 30 miles south of Sacramento.
Dosio maintained extensive trophy collection from African and US hunts
Ernie Dosio kept an extensive collection of animal heads in his home from trophy hunting expeditions in Africa and the United States. His trophy room included heads from elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, crocodiles, zebras, and leopards. According to acquaintances, Dosio had been hunting since childhood and was well-known in both the American and African hunting communities.
Trophy hunting industry kills tens of thousands of wild animals annually
The global trophy hunting industry kills tens of thousands of wild animals worldwide annually, including critically endangered species. Critics argue the industry is predominantly patronized by wealthy, predominantly white hunters, particularly in Africa, and represents a lasting legacy of colonialism rather than a genuine conservation effort. Global wildlife populations have declined by 73 percent between 1970 and 2020, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
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California Millionaire Killed by Elephants During Gabon Hunting Trip
California millionaire Ernie Dosio killed by elephants during licensed Gabon hunting trip.