Millionaire game hunter dies after being trampled on by herd of elephants

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An American big game hunter has been trampled to death by a parade of elephants while on tour in Central Africa, a safari company has confirmed.

75-year-old Ernie Dosio, a vineyard tycoon and millionaire from California, was stalking yellow-backed duiker, a species of antelope, when he died on 17 April.

As per the Los Angeles Zoo, the antelopes 'dive for cover quickly when startled' and ‘whistle a sharp alert before fleeing quickly into the thick underbrush’.

It’s understood that the father of two was licensed to hunt dwarf forest buffalo in the Lope area of Gabon and that he had been granted a shotgun for the deer chase.

The Lodi native, allegedly accompanied by his guide during the £30,000 trophy hunt, was suddenly surprised when five female elephants and a calf came across him.

75-year-old Ernie Dosio was trampled to death by a herd of elephants (wagonhoundoutfitters.com)

Dosio’s death was confirmed by the safari company Collect Africa. The guide who accompanied him was reportedly severely injured in the African elephant attack.

“Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US,” an unnamed retired game hunter told the Daily Mail.

“Although many disagree with big-game hunting, all Ernie’s hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers.

“Ernie had booked a hunt for dwarf forest buffalo and duikers, in particular the yellow-backed duiker, and, under strict licensing laws, he could not take along his own guns.”

The unnamed source said that Dosio and his guide were attacked in the African forest because the mammals felt ‘under threat’ by the pair.

“I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume it would have been quick. Ernie was a very well-known and popular hunter in the U.S. and in Africa, and a very keen conservationist, and he did a hell of a lot of charity work and was a really good guy,” the alleged Cape Town-based hunter continued.

“What happened has been deeply felt by many each side of the Atlantic.”

The Daily Beast reported that the United States embassy in Gabon is currently working to bring Gosio’s remains back to California, where he lived with his wife, Betty.

The US Embassy in Gabon is reportedly working to transport the vineyard tycoon's body back to California (wagonhoundoutfitters.com)

In a statement, Tommy Whitman, who serves as the secretary of Lodi Lodge, situated in the heart of San Joaquin County's wine country, said: “It is with a most heavy heart and sadness that I am reporting the passing of Ernio Dosio.

“May all of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Ernie was Great Elk for 30 years and a pillar in our community who will be sorely missed.”

He added in a Facebook post: “Ernie always had his hand in his pocket and would help out those who needed it be it war veterans or handicapped or underprivileged kids.

“He would never want recognition but he was always there with a loving heart. Ernie’s passion was hunting and he spent much of his time either hunting here in the USA or in Africa and most of his trophies are on display at his own trophy rooms.

“He will be really missed around here and was one of the real good guys.”

Prior to his death, the trophy hunter allegedly collected spoils and brought them back to his four-bedroom home to be mounted.

It’s understood that Dosio, a life member of the hunting group California Wildfowl and a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club, had the heads of elephants, rhinos, bears, buffalo, crocodiles, lions, zebras and leopards in his possession.