Pioneering Elephant Conservationist Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton Dies at 83
NAIROBI, December 10, 2025 (Swara) – Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the renowned Scottish zoologist who fundamentally changed the world’s understanding and protection of African elephants, has died. The founder and president of the conservation organisation Save the Elephants passed away in Nairobi on the night of December 8 at the age of 83.
Douglas-Hamilton was a pioneering force in wildlife conservation. At just 23, he initiated the first scientific study of the social behaviour of wild elephants, laying the foundation for all modern elephant behavioural studies.
His commitment deepened into advocacy and protection when the herds he studied faced mass slaughter for their ivory. He became instrumental in exposing the devastating ivory poaching crisis of the 1970s and 80s, documenting the destruction of more than half of Africa’s elephant population in a single decade. His science-based evidence was critical to the 1989 intergovernmental decision to ban the international trade in ivory.
Founding Save the Elephants
In 1993, Douglas-Hamilton established Save the Elephants (STE) with the mission of securing a future for wild African elephants.
He revolutionised elephant monitoring by pioneering GPS tracking and aerial survey techniques, which have since become standard practices in wildlife conservation. STE’s work has centred on deepening appreciation for elephant intelligence, safeguarding their vital habitats, and nurturing harmony between elephants and the human communities that share their landscapes.
Leading the Fight against Poaching
When a new wave of poaching emerged, killing an estimated 100,000 elephants between 2010 and 2012, Douglas-Hamilton once again led the international response.
His testimony before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2012 and his powerful advocacy helped drive the global movement that led to the closure of major domestic ivory markets worldwide, most notably China’s in 2018.
In 2013, he co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF) with the Wildlife Conservation Network. By 2025, the ECF had catalysed over $40 million in funding, supporting over 500 projects with 120 partners across 44 countries to fight the ivory trade and promote human-elephant coexistence.
Global Recognition and Personal Life
Douglas-Hamilton, alongside his wife Oria, co-authored two award-winning books, Among the Elephants (1975) and Battle for the Elephants (1992). His life’s work was the subject of numerous documentaries, including the BBC’s The Secret Life of Elephants (2008) and the recent feature A Life Among Elephants (2024).
His extraordinary contributions earned him numerous awards, including the Order of the British Empire (1992), the Commander of the British Empire (2015), and the prestigious Indianapolis Prize (2010).
“Iain changed the future not just for elephants, but for huge numbers of people across the globe. His courage, determination and rigour inspired everyone he met,” said Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants and Douglas-Hamilton’s son-in-law. “He never lost his lifelong curiosity with what was happening inside the minds of one of our planet’s most intriguing creatures.”
Dr Douglas-Hamilton is survived by his wife, Oria, and his daughters, Saba and Dudu, both of whom have dedicated their lives to nature. He leaves behind six grandchildren.
