Three separate elephant attacks in Africa have resulted in four deaths, highlighting the dangers of human-elephant encounters. The victims include a millionaire hunter in Gabon, a safari park owner in South Africa, and two women on a walking safari in Zambia.
A millionaire US big game hunter, Ernie Dosio, was killed by a herd of five female elephants with a calf while hunting a yellow backed duiker in Gabon, according to multiple media reports. Dosio, 75, who owned a vineyard in California, was trampled to death. The professional hunter accompanying him was seriously injured and lost his rifle. According to a retired game hunter in Cape Town who knew the victim, Dosio's hunts were strictly licensed and registered as conservation culling.
He would rather be killed by an elephant than shoot one.
In a separate incident, Gary Freeman, a South African safari park owner and co-owner of Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, was killed by a charging elephant, according to multiple media reports. A source said Freeman brandished his revolver to scare the elephant but did not fire. According to Daily Mail - News, Judy Connors, a friend, described Freeman as having said he would rather be killed by an elephant than shoot one. The elephant that killed Freeman was not euthanized; experts studied its behavior, according to multiple media reports. Freeman's death was ruled as an inquest by police in Limpopo Province, and the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve posted a tribute to him on Facebook, according to multiple media reports. Research indicates the death was recorded as misadventure following an inquest.
In a third incident, Janet Taylor Easton and Alison Taylor were trampled to death by an elephant in Zambia. According to multiple media reports, the women were on a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park. Assistant coroner Caroline Chandler stated that the elephant charged from behind and a warning shot was fired but did not stop it, and that the cause of death was traumatic thoracic injuries from an elephant attack. According to multiple media reports, the elephant was hit and wounded by gunshots. Research indicates that Janet Easton, also known as Janice, taught chemistry at Titus Salt School in Baildon, Bradford, from September 1983 until retiring in August 2022. The walking safari was organised by travel company Expert Africa, according to research. On the day of her death, she had been on a guided walk and left the camp early to attend a safety briefing, according to research. The group was accompanied by a guide and a tracker, according to research. The guide saw a female elephant with a younger, sub-adult elephant that was in the distance and appeared peaceful, according to research. Assistant coroner Caroline Chandler said in a press conference: "The plan was a guided walk to the Luangwa River where they would cross by canoe and continue on an onward flight to a Bush camp." According to Daily Mirror - Main, Phil Temple, headteacher, described Janet as admired for her skills.
The plan was a guided walk to the Luangwa River where they would cross by canoe and continue on an onward flight to a Bush camp.
The three attacks share common factors: all involved elephants with young, and in each case the victims were in close proximity to the animals. The conservation status of elephants in the affected areas varies, with populations under pressure from habitat loss and poaching. Authorities in each country have conducted investigations, but specific actions taken after the incidents remain unclear. The exact circumstances that led to each elephant charging have not been fully determined, and it is unknown whether there were prior warnings or signs of aggression. The deaths underscore the risks of human-elephant encounters, even in controlled settings like licensed hunts or guided safaris.
Janet was admired for her skills.