Tribute to Iain Douglas-Hamilton

Founding member of the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group
16 August 1942 – 8 December 2025

It is with very deep regret to announce on our website the death of our dearest friend and colleague, Iain Douglas-Hamilton.

After his DPhil at the University of Oxford studying elephant behaviour in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania, producing pioneer work, he made East Africa his home. He continued to study elephants, with his beloved wife Oria and their two much loved daughters, Saba and Dudu.  His life’s work in Kenya, founding Save the Elephants in 1993, spanned the many disciplines of elephant conservation, from ecology, behaviour, and trade in ivory. 

Iain pioneered the African Elephant Database, collecting data on elephant deaths from the 1970s onwards. He carried out elephant surveys across many dangerous regions at a time of heavy  elephant poaching for ivory.  His work on radio-collaring elephants transformed our knowledge of their movements and migratory corridors, helping to guide way towards human elephant coexistence.

Iain started the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group and was Chair from 1975 to 1982. He was its longest serving member, up until his death. He was always kind and helpful to us all, and inspired many young conservationists and members of our Group.  

The Co-chairs and members of the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group give our deepest sympathies to his family and his many friends and colleagues.