Scottish zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, with his Cesna 185. /INDIANAPOLIS ZOO VIA SAVE THE ELEPHANTSRenowned Scottish zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, has died at the age of 83 in Nairobi.
Known worldwide for his pioneering work in elephant research and conservation, Douglas-Hamilton’s career spanned six decades, transforming both scientific understanding and global efforts to protect Africa’s iconic species.
At just 23, he initiated the first scientific study of the social behaviour of wild elephants, a groundbreaking project that laid the foundation for modern elephant behavioural studies.
As poaching threatened the herds he knew so well, he turned to advocacy and protection.
His research revealed the devastating toll of the ivory trade, which wiped out over half of Africa’s elephants in a decade, influencing the 1989 international ban on ivory trade.
In 1993, Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants, aiming to safeguard elephant populations, deepen understanding of their intelligence and foster coexistence between elephants and human communities.
He introduced GPS tracking and aerial survey methods, now standard tools in wildlife conservation.
During the 2010–2012 poaching surge, which killed an estimated 100,000 elephants, Douglas-Hamilton emerged as a leading voice for action.
He testified before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2012, advocating science-based protections that helped drive the closure of domestic ivory markets worldwide, including China in 2018.
In 2013, Douglas-Hamilton co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund, partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Network.
By 2025, the fund had invested over $40 million (Sh5.1 billion) in more than 500 projects across 44 countries, bolstering local conservation efforts and countering the ivory trade.
Together with his wife Oria, Douglas-Hamilton authored Among the Elephants (1975) and Battle for the Elephants (1992).
His work featured in documentaries including BBC’s The Secret Life of Elephants (2008) and A Life Among Elephants (2024).
His achievements earned global recognition, including the Order of the Golden Ark (1988), Order of the British Empire (1992), Indianapolis Prize (2010), Commander of the British Empire (2015), and the Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize (2025).
Reflecting on his legacy, Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants and Douglas-Hamilton’s son-in-law, said: “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.
"Whether sitting quietly among elephants, poring over maps of their movements or circling above a herd in his beloved aircraft, that glint in his eye was there. He never lost his lifelong curiosity with what was happening inside the minds of one of our planet’s most intriguing creatures.”
Douglas-Hamilton's passion inspired countless careers in research and conservation, including those of his daughters Saba and Dudu.
He is survived by his wife Oria, two daughters and six grandchildren, who each aspire to carry forward his work.
His pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to Africa’s elephants leave a legacy that will continue to inspire conservationists around the world.
The family has requested privacy during this time.
