A Millionaire Trophy Hunter Has Been Trampled To Death By Five Elephants While Stalking His Next Kill

A millionaire trophy hunter who spent his life travelling the world to bag exotic animals has met a gruesome end after being trampled to death by a herd of elephants.

Ernie Dosio, a 75 year old winery owner from California, was reportedly out in the thick rainforests of Gabon when the tables were turned. The wealthy businessman was on a hunt that cost a staggering $40,000 in pursuit of a yellow backed duiker, which is a type of antelope, but he ended up coming face to face with something much bigger.

According to reports, Dosio and his professional guide accidentally stumbled upon five forest elephant cows and a calf. The elephants clearly felt the need to protect their young and launched an immediate attack.

Because the forest was so dense, the pair didn't even see the massive animals coming until it was far too late. A friend of the hunter told the New York Post that the elephants basically appeared from nowhere and flung the guide to the side before stampeding directly over Dosio.

The friend said he didn't want to go into the gory details but assumed that the end would have been quick. While the guide managed to survive, he was left with serious injuries and lost his rifle during the chaos.

Dosio was well known in the hunting community and his home was apparently packed with trophies from previous trips. His collection included the heads of lions, rhinos, buffalo, crocodiles, zebras, and even a leopard. Ironically, he had even shot an elephant in Botswana over a decade ago.

Back in his hometown of Lodi, friends described him as a larger than life character and a good old country boy who loved the outdoors. Despite his massive wealth and his hobby of hunting big game, he was also known for doing a lot of charity work for war veterans and underprivileged kids.

Gabon is currently home to about two thirds of the world’s remaining forest elephant population, with around 95,000 of the animals living there.

This isn't the first time a high profile hunter has been taken out by the animals they were chasing. Just last August, another American millionaire named Asher Watkins was gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking in South Africa.

Dosio's body is now being repatriated back to the US by the embassy. He leaves behind a wife and two sons who have followed him into the family vineyard business.