©Simone Dinoia via Unsplash
An American millionaire and trophy-hunting expert has died in Gabon: he was trampled by a herd of elephants while trying to track down a rare antelope for slaughter.
What was supposed to be a meticulously organized hunting trip turned into a nightmare. In the forest of Gabon, one of Africa's wildest and most unspoiled territories, Ernie Dosio - a 75-year-old trophy hunter - lost his life after being charged by a group of elephants. The safari, costing around $40,000, had been organized to track a rare African antelope, the yellow-backed duiker. During the expedition, however, the situation abruptly changed.
The dynamics of events: the elephant charge
According to reconstructions, the man and his guide were confronted by a herd of five females and their calves. An extremely delicate situation. Elephants, highly social and protective animals, perceived human presence as a threat.
The reaction was immediate: a sudden charge. The guide, armed with a high-powered rifle, was thrown to the ground and seriously wounded. The hunter, equipped with a less effective weapon, didn't stand a chance: he was struck and trampled on several times, dying instantly. A brutal outcome that illustrates the devastating power of these animals, which can weigh up to four tonnes.
A well-known trophy hunter
The victim was no stranger to trophy hunting. He was considered a reference in the safari world, with decades of experience between Africa and the United States. On his property, a vast vineyard in California, Ernie Dosio kept a veritable collection of trophies: stuffed heads and bodies of lions, rhinos, leopards and deer. According to those close to him and members of hunting associations, he took part in regular, authorized drives, often presented as tools for species management and conservation. He was also known for his philanthropic activities in support of veterans and local communities.
Elephants don't attack by chance
Reducing this event to a simple accident would be misleading. Elephants are among the most intelligent and well-organized species on the planet. They rarely charge, but when they do, it's almost always to protect the group, especially in the presence of calves. In this case, the armed human presence was perceived as a direct threat. The animals' behavior was therefore not unpredictable, but consistent with their nature. This dynamic that brings an unavoidable question to the fore: to what extent is it justifiable to jeopardize complex ecosystems for the sake of a recreational activity?
Safaris and controversy: an ongoing debate
The tragedy in question has rekindled a controversial issue: trophy hunting. In many parts of Africa, trophy hunting is a legal but strictly regulated practice, which continues to attract wealthy enthusiasts from all over the world. An activity that its proponents often present as a species management or conservation tool, but which, in reality, only leads to death and tragedy for both humans and animals alike.j
(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Julie Morgan - The Press Junction/Picture: Simone Dinoia via Unsplash)