But his research revealed a dark reality: industrial-scale poaching was decimating herds. Douglas-Hamilton risked his life documenting the slaughter—charged by elephants, swarmed by bees, even shot at by poachers—to expose the scale of the crisis. His work helped secure the 1989 global ivory trade ban, a historic milestone in wildlife protection.
In 1993, he founded Save the Elephants, pioneering GPS tracking to map migration routes, understand decision-making, and protect elephants from human conflict. His influence reached world leaders, shaping policies that restricted ivory markets and saved countless lives.
Douglas-Hamilton’s mission was never about fame or awards—though he earned many, including the Indianapolis Prize and a CBE. His goal was coexistence: a world where humans and elephants could thrive side by side. “I hope for an ethic of human-elephant coexistence,” he said.
He leaves behind a family, protected corridors across Africa, and thousands of elephants alive today because of his work. In a world facing environmental collapse, his vision is a guide: to respect life, protect nature, and ensure that elephants still walk the Earth.
Iain Douglas-Hamilton showed us that one person’s dedication can change the course of a species. Share his story and honor a life that taught us to listen to the wild.