Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

75-Year-Old Trophy Hunter Killed by Elephants During Gabon Hunt

4/24/2026

40 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old trophy hunter, was killed by five forest elephants on April 17, 2026 while hunting a yellow-backed duiker in Gabon's Lope region.
His guide was seriously injured and lost his rifle.
Dosio’s license permitted forest buffalo but restricted him to a shotgun for the duiker, which left him vulnerable when the herd protected a calf.
The U.S. Embassy in Gabon is repatriating his body to Lodi, California.

History

Historical Context

Since its 1975 entry into force, CITES shifted from regulating furs to restricting ivory trade as Asian demand grew, and in the 1980s it began targeting African elephant ivory. By 2002, half of the Parties still significantly missed at least one of four core CITES obligations, highlighting ongoing enforcement challenges.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old trophy hunter, was killed by five forest elephants on April 17, 2026 while hunting a yellow-backed duiker in Gabon's Lope region.
His guide was seriously injured and lost his rifle.
Dosio’s license permitted forest buffalo but restricted him to a shotgun for the duiker, which left him vulnerable when the herd protected a calf.
The U.S. Embassy in Gabon is repatriating his body to Lodi, California.

1 / 2