Home / Environment / Elephant Champion Iain Douglas-Hamilton Dies at 83
Elephant Champion Iain Douglas-Hamilton Dies at 83
9 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Zoologist Iain Douglas-Hamilton passed away at age 83.
- He began studying elephants in Tanzania in 1963.
- His career focused on combating ivory poaching across Africa.
Renowned zoologist Iain Douglas-Hamilton, who dedicated his life to the study and conservation of elephants, has passed away at the age of 83. His impactful career began in 1963 when he journeyed to Tanzania's northern Rift Valley as a postgraduate student.
During his time as a doctoral candidate at Oxford, Douglas-Hamilton focused on the intricate social behaviors of elephants inhabiting Lake Manyara National Park. This early research in Africa laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to the species.
Following his academic pursuits, Douglas-Hamilton remained on the continent, actively engaging in the critical fight against ivory poaching. His persistent efforts and influential work played a vital role in raising awareness and driving conservation initiatives for elephants across Africa.
