Elephant conservation pioneer Iain Douglas-Hamilton dies at 83 in Nairobi
Hamilton, a Scottish zoologist and a pioneering figure in elephant research, transformed the way the world understands African elephants.
Renowned elephant conservationist and Save the Elephant organisation founder Ian Douglas-Hamilton is dead.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation confirmed that he passed away last night in Nairobi at the age of 83.
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Hamilton, a Scottish zoologist and a pioneering figure in elephant research, transformed the way the world understands African elephants.
The organisation said that at the age of 23, he led the first scientific study of the social behaviour of wild elephants, establishing the foundation for modern elephant behavioural research and conservation methods.
As poaching intensified, Hamilton became a leading advocate for elephant protection. His efforts highlighted the devastating toll of ivory hunting, which saw more than half of Africa’s elephants killed in the decade leading up to the 1989 international ivory trade ban.
In 1993, he founded Save the Elephants to protect African elephants, safeguard their habitats and foster coexistence between elephants and people. His innovative use of GPS tracking and aerial surveys revolutionised wildlife monitoring and became standard conservation practice worldwide.
“During the surge in poaching between 2010 and 2012, which claimed an estimated 100,000 elephants, Douglas-Hamilton testified before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2012, advocating for stronger protections. His efforts contributed to the closure of key domestic ivory markets, including China’s in 2018,” the organisation said.
He also co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund in 2013 with Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Network, supporting over 500 projects across 44 countries with more than USD40 million by 2025.
“The Fund has helped mitigate the ivory trade and encouraged human-elephant coexistence,” the organisation added.
Hamilton and his wife Oria also co-authored Among the Elephants (1975) and Battle for the Elephants (1992). His work featured in documentaries such as The Secret Life of Elephants (BBC, 2008) and A Life Among Elephants (Maramedia, 2024). He received numerous accolades, 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).
“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,” CEO of Save the Elephants and Douglas-Hamilton’s son-in-law, Frank Pope said.
He never lost his lifelong curiosity with what was happening inside the minds of one of our planet’s most intriguing creatures.”
Hamilton is survived by his wife Oria, daughters Saba and Dudu, and six grandchildren. The organisation said his family has requested privacy during this time.
“His legacy as a pioneering conservationist continues to inspire wildlife researchers and conservationists worldwide, ensuring the protection of one of Africa’s most iconic species,” it said.
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