KCRA 3 heard from Cortez’s loved ones about the life he left behind. It was oh my god. You know, there’s some really good guys, it’s an expedition. No one expected a tragedy to occur. I think my first reaction was shock. He was there. I don’t know how many times. Many times in Africa. The community is currently mourning the death of 75-year-old Ernie Dozier, who was killed during a hunting trip in Central Africa. According to reports, Dozier was tracking a particular species of antelope when a herd of elephants suddenly lunged through dense brush and trampled him to death. As I was just walking, I suddenly saw a bull elephant in front of me and its ears popped out. Doco and Hunter were exploring the slopes of Gabon, which is home to an estimated 95,000 elephants that reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. What is happening to you is indescribable. But then I knew I had to run away. Robert Dietz, a friend of Dozier’s through the Sacramento Safari Club, said it was difficult to hear of his death, but his humanitarian impact went beyond hunting. Over the years, we have received thousands of thank you letters from all of our children. yes. Ernie Dietz says, pointing to years of humanitarian work supporting children and the communities connected to their travels. Ernie is one of the most generous and kind people I have ever met. Longtime friend Dax McCarty says his gentle generosity towards friends is what most defines him. I think Ernie actually texted me the day before he was killed here. I think he texted me and said happy anniversary. A final message that conveys everything to the man called him. How many people get to do what they love? And that’s their last day. Denson Cortez, KCRA THREE News.
Lodi man dies after being attacked by elephant during African hunting trip
A 75-year-old grape grower from Lodi was killed during a hunting trip in Gabon when he was attacked by a herd of elephants. Friends remember his life and humanitarian work.
Updated: April 24, 2026 7:18pm PDT
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A Northern California grape grower and avid hunter from Lodi was killed during a hunting trip in central Africa when he suddenly encountered a herd of elephants. On April 17, Ernie Dosio, 75, was chasing an antelope in Gabon’s Lope region when an elephant charged him through dense brush and trampled him to death. There are an estimated 95,000 elephants in the region, and they can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. “I was just walking, and all of a sudden this bull elephant appeared in front of me and his ears stuck out,” said Robert Deitz, a member of the Sacramento Safari Club, about his encounter with an elephant during an expedition. Africa for many years. In addition to hunting, Dosio is deeply involved in humanitarian work related to expeditions, he said. Longtime friend Dax McCarty described Dosio as “one of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever met.” McCarty said Dosio will invite friends to his farm in Modesto, where he will show them how he grows grapes. Dosio owned Pacific Agrilands, a 12,000-acre vineyard in Modesto. Check out more of California’s Top Stories | Download the app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube and subscribe here
A Northern California grape grower and avid hunter from Lodi was killed during a hunting trip in Central Africa when he suddenly encountered a herd of elephants.
On April 17, Ernie Dosio, 75, was chasing an antelope in Gabon’s Lope region when an elephant charged through dense brush and trampled him to death.
The region is home to an estimated 95,000 elephants, who can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.
Robert Deitz, a member of the Sacramento Safari Club, said of an elephant he encountered on an expedition: “I was just walking and all of a sudden a bull elephant appeared in front of me and his ears stuck out.”
Deitz said Dosio was an experienced hunter who had made many trips to Africa over the years. He said that in addition to hunting, Dosio is deeply involved in humanitarian efforts related to expeditions.
Longtime friend Dax McCarty described Dosio as “one of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever met.”
McCarty said Dosio plans to invite friends to his farm in Modesto to show them how he grows grapes. Dosio owned Pacific Agrilands, a 12,000-acre vineyard in Modesto.
See more stories from California’s top news stories. | Download the app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube and subscribe here
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