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- Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla injured by bull during fight in Seville
- EU leaders seek stronger ties with Middle East partners amid Iran war
- Condom manufacturer raises prices by 30% amid increasing demand from Iran war
- MPs back legalising euthanasia for terminally ill adults in Commons vote
- Bike accidents increase amid London Tube strikes | News UK
- US big game hunter killed by elephants while hunting in Gabon
- Swedish diplomat charged with unauthorised possession of classified documents
- EU leaders discuss mutual defence strategy amid growing NATO concerns.
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Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla injured by bull during fight in Seville
9:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla injured by bull during fight in Seville
Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla was gored by a bull named Clandestino at the Real Maestranza de Caballeria bullring in Seville on 20 April 2026. The bull’s horn caused a 10cm wound to Morante’s rectum and partially damaged the sphincter muscles.
Morante de la Puebla, regarded as the premier matador of his generation, was gored during a bullfight at the Maestranza bullring in Seville, suffering a 10cm wound to his posterior anal margin, according to El Mundo. Following the incident, Morante stated he experienced “the most painful goring ever” and is expected to remain in hospital for at least a week.
Morante de la Puebla is expected to remain in hospital for at least a week following his injury at the Maestranza bullring in Seville. He reported minimal bleeding and expressed hope for recovery with patience.
Matador gives update after being gored in the rectum – but people say it’s ‘karma’ | News World
Spanish bullfighter Morante de la Puebla is gored at the April Fair (Picture: EPA)
The return of Spain’s most celebrated matador came to an eye-watering end this week – after he was gored in the rectum.
Morante de la Puebla – or ‘King of Bullfighters’ as he is known – was left sprawled in the dirt clutching his rear end after the 512kg bull named Clandestino quite literally ripped him a new one.
But adding insult to excruciating injury, many of the comments are filled with people taking Clandestino’s side.
The matador tends to the sensitive area (Picture: Lalo/GTRES/Shutterstock)
Anna Nicolini posted: ‘No need to hurt animals. He stood up for himself and I’m happy he did. You shouldn’t do these sports nowadays.’
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Many others wrote simply: ‘Karma.’
Morante was injured at the Maestranza bullring in Seville on Monday.
He had already cleared three bulls when a fourth suddenly charged, El Mundo reports.
The bull’s horn bore into his rectum, tearing a 10cm wound to the posterior anal margin, partially damaging the sphincter muscles and perforating the rectum.
Morante is carried away after being gored at the Real Maestranza de Caballeria bullring in Seville (Picture: EPA)
Morante posted a video to social media to update his fans (Picture: @elmundo_es)
‘By the time I got to the infirmary and saw that the bleeding was minimal, I relaxed quite a bit, but of course, it hurt a lot. Without a doubt, it was the most painful goring ever.’
He added: ‘I’ve gone through a pretty normal night of little sleep. I’ve got no appetite, and I’m hoping to get through it with, well, with a bit of patience.’
Morante is widely regarded as the premier matador of his generation and his comeback had garnered sold out crowds.
Antonio Lorca wrote in El País: ‘With unusual speed, the news spread like wildfire throughout the bullfighting world; not for nothing was the man on the operating table a special figure — the most outstanding bullfighter of the present day and one of the greatest in history.’
Morante is expected to remain in hospital for at least a week.
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EU leaders seek stronger ties with Middle East partners amid Iran war
8:00 pm
EU leaders seek stronger ties with Middle East partners amid Iran war
EU summit Developments
EU leaders discussed boosting security and economic ties with Middle Eastern partners during talks in Nicosia amid ongoing conflicts, including a proposal for a multinational naval force.
EU leaders discussed boosting security and economic ties with Middle Eastern partners during talks in Nicosia amid ongoing conflicts, including a proposal for a multinational naval force.
Energy Dependence
Rising energy prices in Europe, exacerbated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have cost over €25 billion in extra fossil fuel imports since the conflict began.
Rising energy prices in Europe, exacerbated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have cost over €25 billion in extra fossil fuel imports since the conflict began.
Critical response
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated, “Bilateral relations with the EU are essential… particularly to ensure global security and the stability of supply chains.”
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated, “Bilateral relations with the EU are essential… particularly to ensure global security and the stability of supply chains.”
Key developments
EU leaders have committed to enhancing security and economic partnerships with Middle Eastern nations amid ongoing conflict, following discussions in Cyprus addressing the Iran war’s repercussions and regional stability.
During the talks, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa highlighted the necessity of strong bilateral relations with the EU to ensure global security and supply chain stability amidst rising tensions.
European officials mentioned early considerations for a multinational force to escort commercial ships and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a potential shift in operational focus for regional stability.
EU leaders vow to boost security and economic ties with Middle East to minimise effect of Iran war
EU leaders vowed to boost security and economic ties with Middle East partners and push for a diplomatic end to the Iran war, after talks in Cyprus focusing on the fallout from the conflict.
Leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, were in Nicosia to meet their European Union counterparts on the sidelines of an EU summit.
“The current situation clearly underscores how closely Europe’s security is linked with that of the Middle East, and how vital our cooperation on security and defence has become,” European Council president António Costa told a press conference after the talks.
Although no formal decisions were taken, the summit provided an opportunity to exchange views about the war, the situation in Lebanon and across the Gulf, as well as the economic consequences for Europe amid the US blockade of Iranian ports and Tehran effectively shuttering the Strait of Hormuz.
“The recent ceasefires between the US and Iran, Israel and Lebanon are welcome developments. Now all parties must engage in good faith to achieve a peace. The European Union is not part of the conflict, but we will be part of this solution,” European Council President Antonio Costa said at a press conference on Friday.
Fighting has currently been suspended in both Iran and Lebanon. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that a ceasefire with Iran that was due to expire on 22 April had been extended indefinitely, while on Thursday he said that a suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon had been extended for three weeks.
Meanwhile, the White House said on Friday evening that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would head to Pakistan for a second round of talks on Saturday.
European officials have floated the idea of a multinational force to escort commercial ships and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but the plan remains at an early stage and it is unclear whether it will be implemented.
Even if EU leaders are actively avoiding direct involvement in the war, they’re aiming to provide support to Middle Eastern countries affected by it, which the EU considers strategic partners in energy, migration and digitalisation.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was among the key regional figures at the talks and he reiterated the importance of bilateral relations with the EU and described them as “essential and inevitable, particularly to ensure global security and the stability of supply chains.”
At the same time, he asked the international community to “uphold its responsibilities in addressing all forms of Israeli aggression affecting our land and territories.”
Increasing energy prices in Europe
Another topic of discussion was rising energy prices around the world due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The standoff is choking off nearly all exports through the vital waterway, through which around 20% of the world’s traded oil passes in peacetime.
The disruption has sent energy prices soaring across Europe, prompting fears of shortages and economic decline.
EU leaders discussed a set of new measures unveiled by the European Commission earlier this week, such as social schemes, tax reductions and subsidies for green technologies.
“Since the beginning of this conflict, our bill for imported fossil fuels has increased by over €25 billion without a single molecule of energy in addition. We need to reduce our over-dependency on important fossil fuels because these make us vulnerable to crises,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
Von der Leyen also said work was under way to boost economic, trade and political ties with Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Gulf nations and proposed those partnerships broaden to defence matters.
“We could consider expanding the scope of missions like Operation Aspides evolving from mere protection to a sophisticated joint maritime coordination,” she said without providing further details.
Aspides is the EU’s naval mission in the Red Sea, launched in 2024 to prevent attacks on trade vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebel forces.
“The threat of mass proliferation of drones and missiles is sadly a shared reality. We should set up a structural cooperation of scaling up defence production,” von der Leyen added.
Condom manufacturer raises prices by 30% amid increasing demand from Iran war
6:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Condom manufacturer raises prices by 30% amid increasing demand from Iran war
Condom manufacturing has increased by 20-30% as a result of the Iran War, with owner Goh Miah Kiat attributing the rise in prices to heightened demand amid ongoing crises. The think tank Resolution Foundation has predicted a decrease in living standards for the average UK household by 0.6% this financial year due to the same conflict.
Goh Miah Kiat, the owner of the world’s top condom manufacturer, stated that prices are increasing by up to 30% due to heightened demand arising from the Iran war and ongoing crises, which influence people’s decisions about parenthood. According to the Generations and Gender Survey, many young adults are opting not to have children, primarily due to high childcare costs and the cost-of-living crisis.
The owner of the top condom manufacturer, Goh Miah Kiat, stated that prices will increase by up to 30% due to the Iran War and ongoing demand for condoms as people seek to prevent pregnancy amid current global crises. According to the Generations and Gender Survey, rising costs and concerns about the future are leading more young adults to choose not to have children.
The Iran war has confirmed I was right to not have kids | News World
I’m childfree, so it would be a fair assumption that friends having children is a tricky subject for me (Picture: Bonnie Harrington/Faye Hedges)
‘We’d love to have more children, but everything’s too expensive and I have to work full time.’
Usually, I’d be delighted to hear a friend say they were done having children and their family is complete.
I’m childfree, so it would be a fair assumption that friends having children is a tricky subject for me. Yes, I miss the days that quick drinks accidently turned into coming home at 3am, and I complain that WhatsApp groups are just baby photos now. But, loved-ones achieving their dream of having kids is a brilliant thing.
So, the comment from my friend should have had me celebrating that we’d soon be back to impromptu dinners, once they’re out of the newborn stage.
Instead, I felt sad for her.
Condom manufacturing has increased by 20-30% due to the Iran War
The world’s top condom manufacturer is increasing prices by up to 30%, and owner Goh Miah Kiat says the Iran war is to blame. Also stating a higher demand for their condoms due to the ongoing crisis, which is causing instability among people and making them more inclined to prevent pregnancy.
You can read about WTX’s report on it here.
There’s a big difference between ‘no more children for us!’ and ‘external circumstances beyond our control mean we don’t feel able to have more children’.
One is a joyful realisation, a goal accomplished. The other is unhappy acceptance.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has taken the decision away. People simply cannot afford to have more than one or two kids, and some aren’t having any at all.
Everyday household items like detergent, medications, toys, and even condoms are more expensive.
At the time, many friends and family were dismissive (Picture: Bonnie Harrington)
It’s a situation I wrote about back in 2022.
My personal realisation was, even if I wanted children, the post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis would make parenthood impossible for me. I feel strongly about being absolutely sure I could afford to have a child. Having grown up with money struggles, I’d want to make sure I could provide a consistently comfortable, safe upbringing.
At the time, many friends and family were dismissive, I heard it all: ‘it’s hard, but you just get on with it’, ‘it’s not that expensive’, and the classic, ‘you’ll change your mind’.
Four years later, with more global conflicts and more economic pressures, I feel more and more sure of my choice.
I feel strongly about being absolutely sure I could afford to have a child (Picture: Getty Images)
What was meant to be a short-term cost-of-living crisis is now just the norm. And, the US-Israeli war against Iran has pushed budgets far beyond what is manageable. Of course, it’s the Iranian people who are most significantly and brutally affected by the war. In the UK, we’re lucky. We are not living in a war zone.
Instead, our lives are impacted financially.
Our energy bills had already risen sharply since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now they’re even higher. Food prices are increasing. Weekly supermarket shops are more expensive and travel costs are impacted. Petrol and diesel prices significantly jumped.
Holidays were always a treat, but now they’re even more unattainable as airlines cancel flights and add extra charges due to increased fuel costs.
Our energy bills had already risen sharply (Picture: Getty Images)
According to the think tank Resolution Foundation, living standards of the average UK household were on track for 0.9% growth. This is expected to now decrease by 0.6% this financial year due to the war.
The Generations and Gender Survey, released just before the US-Israeli war with Iran began, found increasing numbers of young adults are choosing not to have children.
Unsurprisingly, key reasons for this were attributed to high childcare costs, the cost-of-living crisis, and worries about the world their children would inherit.
We need a country where families can thrive (Picture: Bonnie Harrington/Faye Hedges)
I’m definitely seeing more people choosing to be childfree. When I first told people I didn’t want kids it was unusual. Now I have a group of childfree friends.
Despite years of murmurs about ‘all time low’ birth rates, there hasn’t been any significant attempt to really help millennials and Gen Z to become parents. We need a country where families can thrive. Funded childcare, more support for working parents, prioritising affordable housing, and radically confronting the cost-of-living crisis.
Do world events and cost-of-living crises influence your personal decisions about having children?
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I’ve known for a long time I’d be more financially secure, more fulfilled, and less sleep deprived if I remained childfree. I always wondered what would happen when I got older, especially when I reached my later 30s- the decade everyone assured me I’d change my mind.
In reality, my 30s have been one unprecedented national and international event after another. I’m just as happily childfree as ever. My biological clock clearly has no batteries, but even if it could tick, it couldn’t possibly be louder than ever-escalating economic, political, and environmental crises.
Share your views in the comments below.
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MPs back legalising euthanasia for terminally ill adults in Commons vote
5:00 pm
MPs back legalising euthanasia for terminally ill adults in Commons vote
Euthanasia Vote
MPs in the House of Commons approved the legalisation of euthanasia for adults with terminal conditions, allowing those with under six months to live to express a wish to die.
MPs in the House of Commons approved the legalisation of euthanasia for adults with terminal conditions, allowing those with under six months to live to express a wish to die.
Historic Vote
MPs’ approval for legalising euthanasia marks a significant shift in UK legislative attitudes towards end-of-life choices for terminally ill adults.
MPs’ approval for legalising euthanasia marks a significant shift in UK legislative attitudes towards end-of-life choices for terminally ill adults.
Historic Backing
“This is a significant step forward for compassion and choice in end-of-life care,” said a representative supporting the legalisation of euthanasia.
“This is a significant step forward for compassion and choice in end-of-life care,” said a representative supporting the legalisation of euthanasia.
Key developments
MPs in the House of Commons have supported legalising euthanasia for adults with terminal illnesses, allowing those with less than six months to live to express a desire to die.
The vote marks a significant shift in UK law, with legislators backing measures that grant autonomy to patients nearing the end of life, reflecting changing public attitudes towards euthanasia.
UK House of Lords accused of 'obstructionism' as time runs out on assisted dying bill
MPs in the House of Commons had backed legalising euthanasia for adults who have been given less than six months to live and can clearly express a wish to die, in a historic vote last June.
Bike accidents increase amid London Tube strikes | News UK
3:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Bike accidents increase amid London Tube strikes | News UK
CYCLE SAFETY CONCERNS
London Ambulance Service reported a 46% increase in road traffic collisions involving bicycles amid a surge in cycling during recent Tube strikes.
London Ambulance Service reported a 46% increase in road traffic collisions involving bicycles amid a surge in cycling during recent Tube strikes.
TRANSPORT SAFETY
London Ambulance Service reported a 46% increase in bike-related road traffic incidents this week, coinciding with the Tube drivers’ strike, raising safety concerns.
London Ambulance Service reported a 46% increase in bike-related road traffic incidents this week, coinciding with the Tube drivers’ strike, raising safety concerns.
INCREASE IN CYCLING
More than 16,000 riders crossed the Embankment cycle lane, indicating a significant rise in cycling during the Tube strikes, according to reports from TfL.
More than 16,000 riders crossed the Embankment cycle lane, indicating a significant rise in cycling during the Tube strikes, according to reports from TfL.
What we know so far
Commuters in London saw a significant surge in cycling during the recent Tube strikes, but this influx has also led to an increase in road traffic incidents. The Tube drivers’ strikes officially concluded at midday, although disruptions are expected to persist until the evening.
According to the London Ambulance Service, there were 44 road traffic collisions involving bicycles, push bikes, and e-bikes between Tuesday and Thursday, marking a 46% increase compared to the same period last year. The rise in incidents accompanies a boom in cycling, with nearly 4,000 riders crossing the Embankment cycle lane before 9am yesterday—compared to a typical daily average of around 252 cyclists.
Transport for London (TfL) has noted a commitment to expanding the Cycleways network to accommodate the growing demand. A spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to improve road safety and increase accessibility to high-quality cycle routes. The TfL plan includes investing over £150 million annually for active travel programmes, with ambitions to increase the cycle network to reach 40% of Londoners by 2030.
Simon Munk from the London Cycling Campaign emphasised the necessity for improved infrastructure, stating, “We need more routes, we need more capacity.” The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is reportedly working closely with TfL to enhance the cycling infrastructure across the capital.
Read in full
Crashes involving bikes surge during London Tube strikes | News UK
London has looked more like Amsterdam during the Tube strikes with thousands more cycling, but there have also been more incidents on the roads this week.
Londoners can let out a sigh of relief as the last wave of Tube drivers’ strikes officially wrapped up at midday, although disruption will linger until the evening.
Cycling has boomed this week as commuters relied on bikes to navigate the disruption, enabling strikelists to overcome the worst of it.
Cycle lanes have been full to the brim with beginner strikelists and experienced riders coexisting with traffic and pedestrians in the controlled chaos that is London.
The Embankment tally had clocked almost 4,000 riders before 9am yesterday, compared with around 252 cyclists on an average day.
Rise in ambulance crash callouts
Figures from the London Ambulance Service given to WTX suggest there has been a rise in incidents involving bikes this week.
There were 44 road traffic collisions involving bicycles, push bikes and e-bikes between Tuesday and Thursday this week, compared with 30 incidents logged by call handlers in the same period last week – around 46% increase.
Have you felt safe travelling during the Tube strike?
Last year, between Tuesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 24, emergency call handlers recorded 31 bike-related incidents.
However, there has also been a surge in the number of cyclists. Also, the figures do not detail whether the incidents involved another bike, a pedestrian or a motor vehicle.
Latest London news
To get the latest news from the capital, visit WTX’s London news hub.
There were 1.5 million daily bike journeys across London last year, according to TfL. Its survey of cyclists showed that 76% of people using Cycleways felt safe.
While London now has 267 miles of cycle lanes, campaigners have warned that the network is over capacity.
Simon Munk, the London Cycling Campaign’s head of campaigns, told WTX: ‘We are seeing the numbers going up from the strike and people cycling, and we are seeing a lot of cycle tracks at over capacity.’
E-bike use increase during Tube strike
Rental e-bikes have also recorded a rise in usage this week.
Lime said it saw a 23% increase in Lime trips on Wednesday, and a 22% rise on Thursday compared with the same time last week. On Wednesday, trip lengths increased by 20%, suggesting that riders used the bikes for their entire commute, the company said.
Forest said it experienced a 50% increase in rides during Wednesday rush hour between 7am and 8am compared with last week, and a 35% rise during the afternoon rush hour.
When WTX approached Forest, it said that despite the increase in rides this week, it has not seen a rise in incidents. Forest said that all new users complete an in-app safety training before riding and it also runs safety initiatives to educate riders.
Lime declined to comment.
He said the boom of cyclists during the strikes will be the average in London in a couple of years.
He continued: ‘For cycling to be a mainstream mode of transport, which it clearly now is capable of doing, we need more routes, we need more capacity, and we need the boroughs and TfL to get on and deliver that.’
‘We need Paris. We need the mayor of London to act like the mayor of Paris does.’
A TfL spokesperson said: “‘Walking and cycling are vital to a sustainable transport network, and we’re committed to ensuring Londoners have access to a safe, high‑quality, joined‑up cycle network. Since 2016, the network has grown from 90km to over 431km, meaning 27 per cent of Londoners now live within 400m of a high‑quality cycle route.
‘We recognise that disruption such as Tube strikes can encourage more people to try cycling, reinforcing the need to continue expanding the Cycleways network and making London’s roads safer for everyone. TfL’s Safe and Healthy Streets investment programme commits over £150m each year in our business plan to make active and sustainable travel safer – including £94.8m allocated to London boroughs for 2026/27 for safety projects and new cycle routes on their roads.
‘Our ambition is for the Cycleways network to reach 40 per cent of Londoners by 2030, and we remain focused on expanding it so even more Londoners can choose cycling safely and confidently.’
A spokesperson for the mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘The Mayor is working closely with TfL to ensure London has the quality infrastructure needed to safely meet growing demand, as cycling becomes increasingly popular across the capital.
‘The Mayor remains committed to further improving road safety through his Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network.’
US big game hunter killed by elephants while hunting in Gabon
2:00 pm
Get you up to speed: US big game hunter killed by elephants while hunting in Gabon
Ernie Dosio was killed by five elephants while hunting for a yellow backed duiker in the Lope area of Gabon. He was 75 years old and had a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms back in the US.
Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old big game hunter, was killed by five elephants during a hunt in Gabon while pursuing a yellow backed duiker. According to a statement from the safari company Collect Africa, the incident involved Dosio’s professional hunter being attacked first and sustaining injuries, which left Dosio vulnerable to the elephants’ charge.
Ernie Dosio’s body is being repatriated to Lodi, California, by the US Embassy in Gabon. The hunting company Collect Africa confirmed the incident and stated that the matter is being handled by the US Embassy and Dosio’s family.
Millionaire big game hunter trampled to death by herd of five elephants | News World
Ernie Dosio was killed while on a hunt in Gabon (Picture: wagonhoundoutfitters.com)
A millionaire US big game hunter was ambushed and killed by five elephants whilst hunting a small forest antelope.
Ernie Dosio, who owns a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms back home, was trampled to death while on a hunt in the Lope area of Gabon.
The 75-year-old was being guided by a professional hunter in thick forest on a £30,000 stalk of a yellow backed duiker.
The vineyard owner has hunted elephants, leopard, rhino, buffalo and lion across Africa and back home in the US he has hunted almost every species of wild deer.
But his luck ran out last Friday when his hunt stumbled into a herd of five big elephant cows with a calf.
The startled elephant herd immediately charged Dosio and his professional hunter.
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The vineyard owner has hunted elephants, leopard, rhino, buffalo and lion across Africa and back home in the US (Picture: Bobby Hansen Hunting Safaris)
Mr Dosio posing with a lion he shot and killed (Picture: bobbyhansensafaris.com)
The elephants were so well hidden in the dense undergrowth they appeared ‘as if from nowhere’ and the professional with the high-powered rifle was just flung aside.
He was seriously injured and lost his gun in the thick bush as the elephants attacked the terrified hunter with just a shotgun who was then brutally trampled underfoot.
A retired game hunter in Cape Town who knows the victim said: ‘Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US.
‘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.
Mr Dosio owns a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms back home
(Picture: Supplied to Jamie Pyatt News Ltd)
‘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.
‘The hunting company would supply a shotgun and cartridges for the duiker hunt.
‘Whilst in the forest Ernie and his PH (professional hunter) surprised 5 forest elephant cows with young and feeling under threat the elephants immediately attacked them.
‘The professional hunter was attacked first and seriously injured losing his rifle which was knocked from him and lost in the undergrowth leaving Ernie with his shotgun.
‘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.
‘What happened has been deeply felt by many each side of the Atlantic,’ he said.
Dosio’s body is being repatriated by the US Embassy in Gabon to Lodi in California.
Gabon is known as Africa’s last Eden with 88% of its 100,000 square mile territory covered by forest and it is home to 60% of the world’s remaining forest elephants.
There are some 50,000 of them hidden deep in the dense forests of the country once famed for its pygmies which is now one of the richest in Africa per capita income.
Dosio was hunting for the rare yellow backed duiker which is a shy forest dwelling antelope first discovered by an English botanist in 1815 with short 8” horns.
He also had a licence allowing him to hunt dwarf forest buffalo in Gabon.
The safari company Collect Africa confirmed a client had been killed on April 17 in a brief statement saying he and and his PH had encountered the elephants during a hunt in Central Gabon.
It said the professional hunter was injured after the pair encountered 5 cow elephants while hunting for yellow backed duiker and that unfortunately their client had been killed.
It said the matter was being handled by the US Embassy and his family in California.
The US Embassy in Gabon said that a media reply could take ‘several days’ to process through state apartments.
Dosio lived with long term partner Betty in a detached 4-bed home on the outskirts of Lodi 30 miles south of Sacramento in the heart of the California wine growing region.
The father-of-two was the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc which has its own 12,000 acre vineyard in Modesto but specialises in providing management for local wine farms.
Son Jeff is President of the highly successful company which also supplies custom vine harvesting equipment throughout the region which produces 40% of Californian wines.
His other son Blake is also a farmer and believed to work in the thriving family business which supports most of the local vineyards including world famous E & J Gallo wines.
Ernie was a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club and a life member of hunting group California Wildfowl and on the board of the local Lodi Winegrape Commission.
He also held the post of Great Elk in the Californian Central District Elks, which is a charitable group made up of 1900 lodges with 750,000 members throughout the US.
The Elks are made up of patriotic American citizens known for its many philanthropic programs which support military veterans, youth scholarships and disaster relief.
Lodi Lodge secretary Tommy Whitman said in a Facebook statement yesterday: ‘It is with a most heavy heart and sadness that I am reporting the passing of Ernio Dosio.
‘May all of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Ernie was Great Elk for 30 years and a pillar in our community who will be sorely missed.’
He added afterwards: ‘Ernie always had his hand in his pocket and would help out those who needed it be it war veterans or handicapped or underprivileged kids.
‘He would never want recognition but he was always there with a loving heart.
‘Ernie’s passion was hunting and he spent much of his time either hunting here in the USA or in Africa and most of his trophies are on display at his own trophy rooms.
‘He will be really missed around here and was one of the real good guys,’ he said.
A representative of Pacific AgriLand inc said: ‘Nobody here at present is available to speak. That has to be down to his son Jeff when he is ready to say something to you.
‘Ernie was very popular and Jeff is taking many calls as you can well imagine. It is a huge tragedy,’ she said.
The big game hunter had his own private function rooms filled with hundreds of his trophies, including elephant, rhino, bear, buffalo, lion, crocodile, zebra and leopard.
Dosio also shot and had almost every species of buck in the USA including elk, moose and reindeer mounted on the walls along with wildfowl including turkeys and geese.
A family friend said: ‘Ernie would hold a charity function there every month where food was served to members of the Elk lodges and upstanding citizens of the community.
‘There would be judges, advocates and the heads of the local vineyards and big noises from industry and commerce and it was where all the local networking was done.
‘It was always a huge fundraiser with money raised going to help those who needed it.
‘Ernie with his big moustache was larger than life but did not show it off although he had money he was not one for the big house or fancy cars or the jet-set lifestyle.
‘He was a just a farmer and good old country boy who loved to hunt and fish. There are not many in the US today who would have a trophy collection to match Ernie’s.
‘The news of his death in Africa was like a bomb going off here. It has been said the elephants came out of nowehere. One thing is for sure he will get a huge send off,’ he said.
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