Story perspectives

Elephant Trampling Kills $40K Gabon Hunt Owner Ernie Dosio

4/29/2026

Summary

Dosio Trampled

On April 17 in Gabon, owner Ernie Dosio was trampled by elephants in a $40,000 hunt.
The attack followed Dosio and his guide startling five elephant cows with a calf.
The guide was injured and lost his rifle, while Dosio, with a shotgun, was killed.
Family statements blamed buffalo and said the guide died, but Collect Africa denied them.
Ex-wife Rinda Butler Dosio said attorneys were notified before relatives, heightening frustration.

Summary

Dosio Repatriated

U.S. embassy officials in Gabon are arranging transport of Ernie Dosio’s remains to California.
Collect Africa, a safari operator that markets itself as a “Your Species Collecting Concierge,” confirmed Dosio’s death and said the $40,000 hunt complied with Gabon’s framework for wildlife culling.
Gabon’s conservation policy permits limited trophy hunting for population management, a justification supporters cite that has highlighted the commercial model of concierge-style big-game safaris in Central Africa.

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Dosio Trampled

On April 17 in Gabon, owner Ernie Dosio was trampled by elephants in a $40,000 hunt.
The attack followed Dosio and his guide startling five elephant cows with a calf.
The guide was injured and lost his rifle, while Dosio, with a shotgun, was killed.
Family statements blamed buffalo and said the guide died, but Collect Africa denied them.
Ex-wife Rinda Butler Dosio said attorneys were notified before relatives, heightening frustration.

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