A millionaire US big game hunter was killed by five elephants while hunting a yellow-backed duiker in Gabon, according to the Daily Mail. The hunter, Ernie Dosio, 75, was a Californian vineyard owner. Dosio was trampled to death by a herd of five female elephants with a calf. The professional hunter accompanying Dosio was seriously injured and lost his rifle. Dosio's body is being repatriated by the US Embassy in Gabon to Lodi, California. A retired game hunter described Dosio as a very well-known and popular hunter in the US and in Africa, a keen conservationist who did a lot of charity work, according to the Daily Mail. The retired game hunter also said that all of Dosio's hunts were strictly licensed and above board, registered as conservation in culling animal numbers.
South African safari park owner Gary Freeman was killed by a charging elephant, according to major media reports. Freeman did not fire his revolver during the attack. He was leading a group of tourists on a guided hike when the attack occurred. Freeman died on April 9, according to the Daily Mail, though the Daily Mirror did not specify the date, potentially causing confusion. Police in Limpopo Province have opened an inquest into Freeman's death. An unnamed source described that Freeman tried to break the charge but never fired a shot, and the elephant was very quickly on him, according to the Daily Mail. The source added that there is nothing anyone can do to stop six tonnes of angry elephant, and fortunately it was all over quickly. Freeman had previously stated he would rather be killed by an elephant than shoot one, according to his friend Judy Connors. Connors said in a social media post that Freeman spoke of his deep respect and love for elephants, and that perhaps there was a special bond for this elephant to be the chosen one tasked with his deliverance. The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, where Freeman worked, paid tribute to him, stating that he was a valued and respected member of the community and a true gentleman. The reserve asked for privacy for his family and friends.
Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US.
British tourist Janet Taylor Easton, 67, died after being trampled by an elephant in Zambia on July 3, according to major media reports. New Zealand tourist Alison Taylor, 67, also died in the same incident. The incident occurred at South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The inquest recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure. The guide fired a warning shot but the elephant did not stop. The cause of death was traumatic thoracic injuries and elephant attack. According to the assistant coroner Caroline Chandler, the plan was a guided walk on foot to the Luangwa River where they would cross by canoe and continue on an onward flight to a bush camp. The guide adjusted the walk so they were downwind and remained undetected. What happened next was described as happening in a matter of seconds. The tracker saw the elephant charging from behind and shouted towards the scout who fired a warning shot, but the elephant did not stop. The elephant reached the group very quickly and Janice fell. Chandler noted that Janice was on a walking safari and went out with all intent and purposes on what she intended to be a lovely excursion that day, and she certainly didn't anticipate that it would end in the way that it very sadly did. Chandler also acknowledged that the family still has a lot of unanswered questions and hoped they would get to the bottom of those for closure.
These three incidents raise questions about the safety of human-elephant interactions, whether in hunting, tourism, or conservation contexts. The deaths highlight the unpredictable nature of elephants, especially when they feel threatened or are protecting their young. In the case of Dosio, the presence of a calf likely triggered the protective behavior of the female elephants. For Freeman, the elephant's charge may have been a defensive response to the presence of tourists. In Zambia, the warning shot failed to deter the elephant, leading to the tragic deaths of two tourists. The legal aftermath of these incidents remains unclear; no charges or legal consequences for the hunting company or guides involved have been reported. These unknowns underscore the complexities of managing human-wildlife conflict in Africa.
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.
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 US 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.