A California millionaire and experienced big game hunter has reportedly died after being trampled by elephants during a licensed hunting expedition in Gabon last Friday.
According to the Daily Mail, 75-year-old Ernie Dosio was guided by a professional hunter in the Lope-Okanda rainforest last Friday while pursuing the yellow-backed duiker, a species of antelope. During the hunt, Dosio and his guide reportedly encountered five female elephants accompanied by a calf.Authorities say the herd charged.
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Professional Hunter Injured
Reports indicate that the professional hunter guiding Dosio was seriously injured during the encounter and lost his rifle in the chaos. Dosio was reportedly left alone with a shotgun supplied by the hunting company. He was trampled by the elephants. Details regarding the exact timeline of the incident have not been fully released by local authorities.
A retired hunter familiar with Dosio described the expedition as operating under strict licensing regulations. He said the hunts were registered as conservation efforts aimed at reducing animal numbers in accordance with legal frameworks.
“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 retired hunter said. “The hunting company would supply a shotgun and cartridges for the duiker hunt.”
Dosio was described as a vineyard owner from California who frequently participated in licensed hunts abroad.
