The global conservation community is mourning the death of Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world-renowned zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants, who passed away on Monday night in Nairobi at the age of 83.
His death marks the end of an extraordinary six-decade career dedicated to understanding and protecting Africa’s elephants.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, renowned Scottish zoologist and founder & president of Save the Elephants.
"Iain passed away last night in Nairobi at age 83," the family announced.
Douglas-Hamilton, a Scottish-born scientist, was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in elephant conservation.
Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world-renowned zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants/HANDOUTDr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world-renowned zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants/HANDOUT
At just 23, he conducted the first scientific study of the social behaviour of wild elephants, pioneering research that transformed global understanding of the species.
His early work documented complex social structures, intelligence and communication patterns—insights that now underpin modern elephant behavioural science.
His deep familiarity with elephant populations thrust him into activism in the 1970s and 1980s, when he witnessed widespread poaching that decimated herds across the continent.
Douglas-Hamilton played a key role in exposing the scale of the crisis, revealing that more than half of Africa’s elephants had been wiped out in a single decade.
His findings were instrumental in shaping international momentum that culminated in the 1989 global ban on the ivory trade.
In 1993, he founded Save the Elephants, an organisation that has since become a leading force in conservation, combining scientific research with community engagement.
Through innovative use of GPS collaring and aerial surveying, Douglas-Hamilton revolutionised wildlife monitoring, enabling real-time tracking of elephant movements and creating early warning systems to protect herds from poachers.
When Africa faced another wave of rampant poaching between 2010 and 2012—during which an estimated 100,000 elephants were killed—Douglas-Hamilton again stepped to the forefront.
He testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2012, advocating for global action. His efforts contributed to a worldwide crackdown on ivory markets, most notably China’s historic 2018 closure.
Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world-renowned zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants/HANDOUTDr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the world-renowned zoologist and founder of Save the Elephants/HANDOUT
In 2013, he co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund, a partnership between Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Network.
By 2025, the fund had channelled more than USD 40 million to 120 partners across 44 countries, supporting over 500 projects aimed at anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and fostering human–elephant coexistence.
Douglas-Hamilton also wrote extensively alongside his wife Oria, producing award-winning books such as Among the Elephants (1975) and Battle for the Elephants (1992). His life’s work inspired numerous documentaries, most recently A Life Among Elephants (2024).
His achievements earned global recognition, including the Order of the Golden Ark, the Order of the British Empire, the Indianapolis Prize and the 2025 Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize.
Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants and Douglas-Hamilton’s son-in-law, described him as a visionary whose passion shaped generations of conservationists.
“Iain changed the future not just for elephants, but for huge numbers of people across the globe,” he said.
Douglas-Hamilton is survived by his wife Oria, daughters Saba and Dudu, and six grandchildren. His family has requested privacy during this period of mourning.
