WORLD-RENOWNED AFRICAN ELEPHANT EXPERT, DR IAIN DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, DIES AGED 83

WORLD-RENOWNED AFRICAN ELEPHANT EXPERT, DR IAIN DOUGLAS-HAMILTON, DIES AGED 83

© Indianapolis Zoo

Nairobi, Kenya – Tuesday, 9 December 2025: 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.

A pioneering force in elephant conservation, Iain revolutionised our understanding of African elephants through his groundbreaking research. At just 23, he pioneered the first scientific study of the social behavior of wild elephants. When the herds he knew so well started getting killed for their ivory, he turned elephant protector. His work laid the foundation for modern elephant behavioral studies and conservation practices.

Iain was instrumental in exposing the ivory poaching crisis, documenting the destruction of over half of Africa’s elephants in a single decade leading up to a crucial intergovernmental decision to ban the international trade in ivory in 1989.

In 1993, Iain established Save the Elephants to secure a future for wild African elephants by deepening our appreciation of their intelligence, safeguarding their habitats, and nurturing harmony between elephants and the people who share their landscapes. His innovative use of GPS tracking technology and aerial survey techniques transformed elephant monitoring and protection strategies, becoming standard practices in wildlife conservation.

When a new wave of ivory poaching swept across Africa, killing an estimated 100,000 elephants between 2010 and 2012, Iain once again led the charge. He testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2012, and his science-based advocacy for stronger protections played an important role in the global movement that resulted in the closure of domestic markets around the world, most importantly China’s in 2018.

In 2013, he co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund, run by Save the Elephants with long-time partners the Wildlife Conservation Network, as a way to catalyse efficient, locally-based conservation. By 2025, the Fund had supported 120 partners across 44 countries with over USD$40m to carry out over 500 projects. The investments were powerful actions against the ivory trade, and now help forge coexistence between humans and elephants on an increasingly crowded continent.

Iain and his wife Oria co-authored two award-winning books, Among the Elephants (1975) and Battle for the Elephants (1992) and his work was the subject of many television documentaries including The Secret Life of Elephants (BBC 2008) and a recent feature documentary A Life Among Elephants (Maramedia 2024). His extraordinary contributions earned him global recognition, including the Order of the Golden Ark (1988), the Order of the British Empire (1992), the Indianapolis Prize (2010), Commander of the British Empire (2015) and the Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize (2025).

Never was Iain happier than when sitting with a young scientist studying maps of elephant tracks, speculating together about what might be going on in the pachyderm’s mind. He catalysed countless careers in research and conservation, both from Africa and all over the world.

“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,” said Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants and Iain’s son-in-law.

Iain, together with his wife Oria, inspired his daughters Saba and Dudu to devote their own lives to working for nature. He leaves behind six grandchildren, each of whom dreams of following his example in one way or another. The family kindly requests privacy during this difficult time.

May Iain’s pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to conserving Africa’s most iconic species continue to inspire us all.

For images of Iain, please click here.

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For more information, please contact:

Jane Wynyard
Save the Elephants
[email protected]

+254 708 669 635