Millionaire Big-Game Hunter Killed by Elephant Herd During $40,000 Luxury Safari

A wealthy American big-game hunter has died after a terrifying encounter with elephants during a hunting trip in Africa.

Ernie Dosio, 75, a California vineyard owner and experienced trophy hunter, was on a guided expedition in Lopé-Okanda National Park when things took a deadly turn.

According to reports, Dosio had traveled to Gabon for a high-end hunting trip, reportedly costing around $40,000, with the goal of tracking a rare yellow-backed duiker—a small antelope native to the region.

But the hunt quickly turned into chaos.

While moving through dense rainforest, Dosio and his guide suddenly came face-to-face with a group of five female elephants and a calf. The herd reportedly charged without warning, leaving little time to react.

The attack proved fatal.

Safari company Collect Africa confirmed Dosio’s death, while the professional hunter guiding him survived the incident but suffered serious injuries.

Back home, Dosio was known as the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc., a company managing thousands of acres of vineyard land in California and providing services to wine producers.

U.S. Embassy officials in Gabon are now working to return his remains to the United States.

African elephants—the animals involved in the incident—are the largest land mammals on Earth, capable of weighing up to six tons and standing as tall as 11 feet. While they are often peaceful, they can become extremely dangerous if they feel threatened, especially when protecting their young.

The incident is also reigniting debate around trophy hunting, a controversial practice that continues to divide opinions worldwide.

Some argue it helps fund conservation and local economies, while others say it puts added pressure on already vulnerable wildlife populations.