Lodi’s Ernie Dosio, an avid big-game hunter known for his contributions to the local agricultural community, was killed by a herd of elephants during a hunting trip in central Africa on April 17, according to several news reports.
Dosio, 75, was being guided by a professional hunter in search of antelope in the Lope-Okanda rainforest in central Gabon when they stumbled upon five female elephants and a calf, according to reports. The surprised herd then charged Dosio and the guide.
African elephants are the largest land mammals in the world, and females can stand 12 feet tall at the shoulder, weigh nearly four tons and run as fast as 25 miles an hour.
Dosio was known for his big game and exotic trophy collection, having hunted elephants, rhinoceros, buffalo, lions and more.
Dosio was the owner of Pacific AgriLands, a Modesto-based company specializing in custom harvesting and farm management services. In Lodi, he was known for his charitable support of local ag groups.
He was a member of the California Wildfowl hunting group and the Lodi Winegrape Commission Board of Directors, and was Great Elk in the California Central District Elks.
Manna Ranch general manager Brandon Sywassink remembered Dosio as a generous man who promoted the region’s farming and wine communities.
“Ernie would support (Future Farmers of America), 4H kids at the AgFest year after year, and would purchase animals from kids in excess and then give the cuts away to employees all year long and anyone in need,” he said. “His countless donations to charities, including but not limited to the Lodi District Grape Growers Association, was noticed but (he) never strived for attention in doing so.”
Winegrape Commission Executive Director Stuart Spencer said Dosio would volunteer to help set up and clean up at ZinFest, and ask for nothing in return.
As a former Winegrape Commission board member, he supported research projects across the region for decades, and was the driving force behind the annual Sporting Clays industry mixer in Bird’s Landing, an event that brought growers and winegrape buyers together for nearly two decades, Spencer said.
“He was smart, meticulous, and an exceptional farmer with a deep understanding of his vineyards,” he said. “His ranches were widely respected and admired by growers. Ernie was one of a kind and deeply respected within the winegrowing community.”
A representative of Dosio’s family could not be reached for comment.