12/12/2025
A TRIBUTE TO DR. IAIN DOUGLAS-HAMILTON
When you look at an elephant, do you see an animal with big ears, a long nose, and thick skin? Or do you see a sentient, intelligent, emotional, being?
Not so long ago, most people would have scoffed at the second suggestion. But the reason we all see elephants this way is largely thanks to one man: Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton.
We are very sad to hear of Iain’s passing this week and send our condolences to his family and the team at Save the Elephants.
Iain was truly ahead of his time.
He went against the scientific practice of the day, giving human names to the elephants he studied. It was Iain who encouraged Dr. Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, to conduct research in Amboseli, and it is thanks to her that we know so much about the elephants Big Life protects.
Iain brought the plight of elephants to the world stage. He was instrumental in establishing the international ivory bans in 1989 and 2013, preventing the slaughter of countless elephants.
He also pioneered the use of radio collars, demonstrating how elephants range across landscapes, revealing the need to create wildlife corridors. Our understanding about Amboseli’s elephant movements is thanks to radio collars provided by Save the Elephants, and much of the ecosystem’s subdivision process was guided by this data.
For someone of such a titanic status in the conservation world, it was Iain’s insatiable curiosity that was probably his most remarkable attribute.
Iain was willing to engage with anyone, irrespective of their background, education or status; if they had a story about elephants to share, he would listen. He saw every interaction as a learning opportunity, sharing his wisdom but always asking, “but what do you think?”
Iain spent a lifetime daring to be curious, and we should strive to do the same.
Pictured: Iain meeting an elephant at Richard Bonham’s home in the Chyulu Hills.
